Homelessness

HC Deb 06 November 1973 vol 863 cc795-6

20. Sir Gilbert Longden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further progress has been made in dealing with homelessness and the arrangements for accommodating homeless families.

Mr. Dean

My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and my right hon. Friend are issuing a joint circular of guidance on this subject to local authorities very shortly.

Sir Gilbert Longden

That is the same answer as the one I received last March. Is my hon. Friend satisfied that all local authorities, particularly those in London, are fulfilling their duties under Part III of the National Assistance Act 1948? If they are not, what is preventing them from doing so?

Mr. Dean

I can assure my hon. Friend that a good deal has been done since last March. For example, we have the report of the joint working party on homelessness, which suggests, among other things, that it should be primarily the responsibility of housing departments of local authorities, although the social service departments will be closely involved. We are also encouraging the Supplementary Benefits Commission to provide more places in reception centres—I opened a new one in London only yesterday—and the voluntary organisations, which do such valuable work, are also doing a great deal more with substantial help from the Government.

Miss Lestor

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that at any given time during the past few years between 2,500 and 3,000 young children have been in care of local authorities because of homelessness? If the Secretary of State is keen to break the cycle of deprivation—as I am sure he is—is it not essential that local authorities be instructed to ensure that children in care—who, incidentally, cost at least £20 a week each to look after, though that should not be the main consideration—are given top priority in housing with their parents?

Mr. Dean

I entirely accept what the hon. Lady has said. The new circular deals primarily with homeless single people, but it also recognises the immense importance of housing in keeping the family unit together.

Sir J. Rodgers

Is my hon. Friend aware that in Kent alone over £40,000 was spent in putting the homeless into hotels? Would not that money be better spent on reception centres and more houses?

Mr. Dean

It is for this reason that emphasis is being given to providing more places. A new reception centre will open soon in my hon. Friend's part of the country.

Mrs. Renée Short

If the hon. Gentleman is concerned about the lack of homes for people who are homeless and the inability of local authorities to rehouse them, what representations is he making to the Secretary of State for the Environment, who is responsible for the housing effort of the country and who has allowed local authority house building to decline to the lowest level since 1958?

Mr. Dean

The circular to which I have referred is a joint operation between my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment and my right hon. Friend. The two Departments are working closely together on the problem, which concerns both of us.