§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the figures on 31st December 1973 and 1974 for availability of temporary accommodation in Scotland in number and as expressed as a ratio to population.
§ Mr. William RossLocal authority returns for 31st December 1973 show temporary accommodation totalling 474420W places, representing just under one place per 10,000 of population. The figures for 31st December 1974 are not yet available.
§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has received the report of the committee on links between the housing and social work services; what action has been taken pursuant to the report to improve statistical and other information on homelessness; and if he will now estimate the number of homeless families in Scotland.
§ Mr. William RossYes. The report published on 13th March recommended that consideration should be given to the need for guidance to local authorities on means of improving the quality of statistics on homelessness. I intend to consult the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the relevant professional associations about this, and the other recommendations of the report, with a view to determining how reliable statistics might be obtained.