§ 31. Mr. Aitkenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she is satisfied with the present arrangements for providing hostel accommodation for runaway 173W children; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. MeacherThere are no arrangements for the provision of hostel accommodation specifically for children and young persons who run away from home or local authority care. Under Section 1 of the Children Act 1948, local authorities have a duty to receive into their care any child in their area who appears to be under the age of 17, and whose parents or guardian are prevented by any circumstances from providing for his proper accommodation, maintenance and upbringing, if such intervention is necessary in the interests or the welfare of the child. Hostel accommodation for children in the care of local authorities is provided within the community home system.
According to plans prepared by regional planning committees, there were on 1st April 1974 some 1,600 hostel places in community homes in England. The plans propose the provision of a further 975 places, but I regret that, at a time when the resources available for development are necessarily limited, progress in the provision of these additional places cannot be as rapid as either the Government or the local authorities would wish.
The question of the provision of hostel accommodation for young persons over the age of 17 and not in the care of local authorities is under inter-departmental consideration.
Local authorities and housing associations are, however, being encouraged by the Department of the Environment to provide hostel accommodation, some of which may be suitable for youngsters who are homeless, as a part of their housing programmes.