HC Deb 12 November 1975 vol 899 c707W
Sir G. de Freitas

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment which local authorities in the East Midlands have responsibility for homelessness.

Mr. Armstrong

All social services authorities have a duty under Section 21(1) (b) of the National Assistance Act 1948 to provide temporary accommodation in certain circumstances for persons in urgent need. The joint circular on Homelessness—DOE 18/74—recommended that housing authorities should increasingly accept prime responsibility for the homeless. The information I have is that in the East Midlands all but three housing authorities have accepted some measure of responsibility.