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Looks at performance assessment in the management of public housing given the liberalisation of housing policy. Focuses on the impact of appraisal systems on the accountability of housing management. Concludes that appraisal systems have enhanced accountability to government but done little to enhance the legitimate accountability to the consumer of the management service. (Abstract amended)

AbstractRadon gas, which is the main contributor to human radiation exposure, is easily dissolved in, and dissipated from, water. Problems with radon occur because, in addition to being ingested, it (a) becomes attached to particles which lodge in the lungs and (b) emits alpha radiation. Concentration has been found to increase inversely with the size of a water supply. Although of little problem in mains'water, private water supplies in the UK have been found to contain more than ten times the recommended US levels. Despite this, very little monitoring is carried out for radon in private supplies. Local authorities, situated in areas where the geological conditions are such that high levels of radon would be expected, should carry out a suitable sampling and monitoring programme of their private water supplies.

Examines the 'special needs' concept by analysing its role in the targetting of housing policy. The impact of the 'special needs' approach is assessed both in terms of its capacity to deliver the goods for 'special' groups and in terms of the implications of the approach for the impact of state intervention in the provision of housing and welfare. (Abstract amended)

Many of the problems of council housing in Britain can be overcome by devolving the management and sometimes the ownership of the housing to cooperatives. Makes an assessment of the evidence for this view and describes a pioneering example of the establishment of cooperatives in former council housing in Glasgow. The success of such schemes will depend on their ability to provide an effective housing service to their members but there is little evidence to date to show that this will necessarily occur. (Abstract amended)

ABSTRACTThe quality of water issuing from four springs which act as private water supplies was monitored regularly over a twelve‐month period. Bacteriological analyses for faecal coliforms and chemical analyses for iron, manganese, aluminium and lead were carried out and related to meteorological conditions. Bacteriological quality, which was influenced by the amount and duration of rainfall, deteriorated rapidly after heavy rain and improved markedly during dry periods. Chemical quality was a function of both the rainfall and atmospheric pollution emanating from the nearby urban conurbation. The results are discussed with relation to the statutory requirements for local authorities to monitor small private water supplies.