To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps his Department is taking to ensure that tenants and the public are protected from rogue landlords. [125861]

The Government published a draft Housing Bill at the end of March 2003. The Bill contains provisions that would enable local authorities to engage in the selective licensing of private sector landlords. This will help them to tackle the bad effects that irresponsible landlords and anti-social tenants can have on the wider community—particularly in areas of low housing demand where the worst problems are concentrated. Raising standards of management': in these areas will benefit tenants and the public alike.