HC Deb 12 July 1978 vol 953 cc1495-7
13. Miss Joan Lestor

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the working of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Freeson

The Act has helped many homeless people, and that is satisfactory. Our main guide to its detailed working is the statistical information to be published shortly and to be discussed with local authorities and voluntary bodies.

Miss Lestor

When my right hon. Friend discusses this with local authorities, will he pay particular attention to the Slough Tory authority which has by resolution decided to put as restrictive an interpretation as possible upon the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act, and has already been censured by the local ombudsman for the way in which it is failing to deal with homeless families in my area?

Mr. Freeson

I shall certainly take account of that and will take the opportunity, as soon as I can, of reading the local ombudsman's report on this matter. I am aware of the concern expressed about this local authority's conduct in certain respects. I can only hope that it will reflect further and ensure it is basing its conduct on a civilised approach to the use of the Act.

Mr. Dykes

Will the Minister also get officials in his Department to look into the quality of some of the buildings and hostels used for homeless people on temporary stay? Some of them are of a dreadfully poor quality and have a most depressing effect on the people who have to go to them.

Mr. Freeson

I certainly take note of the point, but no inspectorate system is available to us to use in such matters. If the hon. Gentleman will write to me about particular matters that he has in mind, I shall certainly consider them further.

Mr. McNamara

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied with the procedures in cases where there is a dispute between authorities over responsibility for homeless people? Is he aware that in my constituency there is one family which has now been in temporary accommodation for over 10 months because local authorities are unable to agree who is responsible for the rehousing?

Mr. Freeson

The Act has now been operating for about seven months. I am generally satisfied that the scheme that was agreed in the context of that Act, for joint arrangements between local authorities, is working reasonably well. We are due to review the matter, and if there are a sufficient number of cases of difficulty which show a common pattern, requiring further thought about the way the Act is operating, I should like to consider them. Perhaps my hon. Friend will also write to me with details so that I can take these matters into account.

Mr. Rossi

Is the Minister aware that a number of local authorities that have a relatively high proportion of employment to offer as compared with other areas, or authorities that are particularly attractive areas in which to live, are complaining that mobile homelessness is causing problems with regard to their general waiting lists? Will he consider giving a reallocation of resources to local authorities which have those problems, one of which is Slough?

Mr. Freeson

Judging from the hon. Gentleman's rather defensive observations, I am afraid that he cannot be aware of the procedure that is already adopted. The answer is that this factor is already taken into account when we do the housing investment allocations. It is a matter for the local authority to include the data in its submission to us, against the background of whatever policy it is pursuing. We certainly take it into account.