Rented Housing: Private Sector Lyn Brown To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which local authorities have applied to introduce selective licensing of the private rented sector under the provisions contained within Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004. Mr. Iain Wright The following local authorities have been granted departmental approval to operate selective licensing schemes under Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004. Salford City Council Middlesbrough Borough Council Manchester City Council Gateshead Borough Council Sedgefield Borough Council Bolton Borough Council and Burnley Borough Council Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council District of Easington Council The Department is also currently considering applications for selective licensing from Leeds City Council, Hartlepool Borough Council and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council (second proposed designation).