<b><b> With the post-election dust settling, <b><b><b>John Stewart</b></b></b> sets out the brief he would give to senior officials if he were appointed minister for housing and planning <b></b></b></b><br><b>Three key words will dominate our policies: objectives, delivery and efficiency.</b><br><b><b>Guiding principles </b></b><br> Government should intervene in the housing market only when there is a compelling reason, and then only when we are very sure the outcome will be significantly better than without intervention.<p></p><p> As housing minister, I believe I have very limited powers to influence housing provision. More than nine out of ten new homes are delivered by the private sector, mostly for private owners. The main source of policy influence within the DETR's remit is the planning system. Planning must work with the grain of a largely market-based system of housing provision. Central government guidance must set objectives and mechanisms, but not be too prescriptive. </p><p>The creative, profit-driven energies of the private sector must be tapped to achieve our objectives. It is risk-taking, deal-making entrepreneurs with capital and know-how who will deliver most of our objectives on the ground, not risk-averse Government officials, ministers or local councillors - though each has an important role in enabling and encouraging.</p><p><b><b>Key objectives </b></b><br> We …