David Ruffley MP has written to the secretary of Statefor Justice Jonathan Djanogly about the rates of repossession in hisconstituency of Bury St Edmunds. The answer he received shows that there hasbeen sharp decrease in the amount of mortgage repossessions, repossessions ofprivate property, and landlord repossessions, evictions from rented accommodation,in Bury St Edmunds and Suffolk from the period of 2009-2010.

In 2009 the number of mortgage repossessions in 2009 andin Bury St Edmunds was 70 and in Suffolk as a whole 700. However, in 2010 thenumber of mortgage repossessions in the Bury St Edmunds constituency had fallento 55 and 545 in Suffolk as a whole.

Similarly, in Mr Ruffley's constituency in 2009 thenumber of landlord repossessions was 145, whereas in 2010 it was 130. InSuffolk as a whole the number of landlord repossessions fell from 1,095 in 2009to 890 in 2010.

Commenting on this trend Mr Ruffley said 'I am verypleased to see a decrease in the number of repossessions in my constituency. Iasked this question because homelessness is very serious problem and one thatneeds to be tackled at the source. These figures clearly show that there hasbeen a significant decrease in the number of people losing their homes.However, that number still remains too high and I will continue to press theGovernment to ensure to that the cost of living remains affordable for peopleliving in my constituency.'