To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 30 June 2009, Official Report, columns 7-10WS, on housing, on what date he plans to publish his Department’s consultation document on the reform of the council housing finance system; and when he expects the consultation exercise to be completed. (284476)

My right hon. Friend the Minister for Housing intends to publish the consultation document before the summer recess. The consultation period will be for a minimum of 12 weeks in accordance with the Government’s Code of Practice on Consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when the report of the review of council housing finance which began in December 2007 will be published; and what the timetable is for the consultation on council housing finance he plans to launch before the summer recess. (284970)

We will publish a research report alongside the consultation. The consultation period will be for a minimum of 12 weeks in accordance with the Government’s Code of Practice on Consultation.