To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the constitution and purpose of Housing North West; how often it meets; who its members are and how they were appointed; what is its budget; and how it is serviced and funded. [HL1392]

Housing North West is a voluntary partnership between major housing organisations in the region. Its aim is to provide professional training for housing practitioners in the north-west. It usually organises four or five conferences a year, plus a similar number of technical seminars. These events are almost all free of charge to enable all local authorities and housing providers, regardless of size, to access good practice in the region. The membership currently consists of the Government Office for the North West, the North West Leaders Forum, the North West Housing Forum, the National Housing Federation and the Chartered Institute of Housing. It is funded by voluntary contributions by member organisations. In the current year the organisation received £20,000. Member organisations also provide staff time and good will to help run the events at minimum cost.