THE Government was accused by a North-East Lab-our MP and former housing minister yesterday of funding "Beirut-style ruin" in Britain's inner-cities.

Chris Mullin, MP for South Sunderland, said the housing benefit system meant private landlords were still being paid even if they took no interest in repairing their property.

"There are parts of my constituency where civilised life has broken down, where the council has already had to demolish entire streets.

"If help does not arrive soon, I can already name the streets which will have to be demolished next," said Mr Mullin in a Commons debate.

Landlords had "absolutely no incentive" to take an interest in the condition of their property or the behaviour of their tenants because the money will continue to flow regardless, he said.

"It is an incredible state of affairs. We are actually funding the destruction of large swathes of our inner-cities.

"We are doing so at the same time as we are pouring money into regeneration programmes, much of which will be wasted unless we can devise some mechanism for influencing the behaviour of our most recalcitrant citizens," Mr Mullin said.

Local Government Minister Alan Whitehead told the MP his call for a system of licensing private landlords was already being considered by ministers, but would only be brought in when Parliamentary time allowed.

Dr Whitehead also urged greater use by councils of Anti-social Behaviour Orders, and said the Government was considering measures to speed eviction of nuisance tenants.