§ Mr. Stallardasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the total number of beds available nightly at the reception centre for homeless women administered by her Department at 96 Great Guildford Street, London S.E.1;
(2) what is the figure for average nightly occupancy of beds at the reception centre for homeless women at 96 Great Guildford Street, London S.E.1, for the following months: May, June, July, August, 556W September, and October 1975, respectively;
(3) what is the total cost per annum of maintaining the reception centre.
§ Mr. MeacherThere are 55 beds at the Southwark Reception Centre. The average nightly occupancy during the 4-weekly periods ending 20th May, 17th June, 15th July, 12th August, 9th September and 7th October 1975 were respectively 8, 10, 8, 8, 6, and 4.
The total cost of maintaining the centre was £63,868 in the financial year ended 31st March 1975, when the nightly average number accommodated was 27 and the highest number 47.
My hon. Friend may like to know that, in view of the limited use being made of the centre by women, the Supplementary Benefits Commission recently decided to use it instead as a centre for men from early in the New Year. Accommodation for women will be available at the Cedars Lodge Reception Centre, Clapham which was purpose-designed to accommodate both men and women, and provision will continue to be made at the women's reception centre in Camden.