Announcing his Private Members Bill on Leasehold Reform, presented to the House of Commons today, Simon Hughes MP said:

2.00.00pm GMT Wed 5th Dec 2007

''For many years I have worked inside and outside parliament to improve the position of people who have bought their homes from local councils and other social landlords. There is still, in law, not enough control for these leaseholders over the management of their homes and the timing and amount of bills for capital works and other services. I have chosen to introduce this Bill to deal with some of these long running problems.

''My Bill will come forward for its second reading on 22nd February 2008 and full details of my proposals will be published in the new year. Any council leaseholder in Southwark who has specific ideas as to how the law should be changed is welcome to let me have their ideas by the 15th of January. I shall also be meeting leaseholder groups in Southwark early in the new year to hear their views and suggestions.

''This Bill is a great opportunity for a better deal for leaseholders. I shall seek maximum support to make 2008 a good year for leaseholders in Southwark, as well as in all other parts of the country''.