COMMERCIAL SQUATTING

Early day motion 912, tabled 14 January 2013 by Mike Weatherley (Conservative). Signed by 24 members.

That this House is aware of the huge distinction between the homeless who need our assistance and squatters who choose to occupy property without permission as a lifestyle preference; and acknowledges that more needs to be done to encourage owners of empty buildings to bring them back into use, but ultimately believes that owners of commercial premises - whose properties can be out of use for all sorts of legitimate reasons - should have the same rights as owners of residential premises when it comes to removing squatters.

Signatures by party: Conservative 19, DUP 2, Labour 2, Liberal Democrat 1.