THE Transport, Local Government and the Regions Select Committee will be looking very hard at the Government's record on urban regeneration. Before we start, we need a better idea of how urban degeneration is occurring.

In the past, it was assumed this was mainly due to very poor housing, leading to slum clearance or the development of sink estates. Today, there appears to be a new problem -- empty private homes.

In some northern towns and in a few other places in the country, there are large numbers of empty houses. Once there is a surplus of houses in an area, private buyers become wary and the worst Rachman-type landlords move in.

So, the select committee is starting its work with an inquiry into the problem of empty homes.

Obviously we want to know how many there are, how far the problem is spreading and if people could be encouraged to move from overcrowded areas to use the empty homes.

If readers have views about this issue, we would be pleased to have them. If they are sent to me, I will ensure they go before the select committee.

ANDREW BENNETT MP, chairman, Transport, Local Government and the Regions committee, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.