§ 9. Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what discussions he has had with the Church of England and the Salvation Army concerning their help for the disadvantaged.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Social Services (Sir George Young)Neither has requested a discussion, but I am always willing to consider those aspects of their work which fall within the Department's responsibilities and for which I have great admiration. Officials have been in touch with the Church of England Children's Society, the Church Army and the Salvation Army on specific projects.
§ Mr. FreesonIs the Minister aware that both the Church of England and the Salvation Army recently joined forces to condemn the Government's policy of major cuts in support for hostel housing accommodation for single homeless people? Is he aware of their concern that his Department and the Department of the Environment are sharply reversing the policy of his predecessor which was to seek closure of the massive, out-of-date and disgracefully inadequate single person hostels provided by his Department by means of increased provision at local authority and housing association level to such organisations? What does he intend to do about that?
§ Sir George YoungI have seen the joint statement to which the right hon. Gentleman referred, and it is not in the strident tone he attributes to it. The Department of the Environment has made available £12 million as a special allocation for hostels. Both the organisations that he mentioned are eligible to apply to the DOE for grants. On the issue of size, I sympathise with the view that large institutions do not provide the right environment for people who are homeless, many of whom would prefer smaller institutions or homes where there is an opportunity for them to have an independent identity and where there is some privacy. I welcome any move to develop alternative provision to replace such outdated institutions.
§ Mr. SainsburyIs the Minister aware that the meeting chaired by the Archbishop of Canterbury to launch the 142 joint appeal by the Church Army and Salvation Army for their hostels, far from condemning the Government's action, paid particular tribute to the Minister for Housing and Construction for the help that he had given to hostels?
§ Sir George YoungMy hon. Friend has confirmed what I said earlier, that the joint statement was not couched in the tones attributed to it by the right hon. Gentleman.