§ Mr. Cyril Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to ascertain how many local authorities are implementing the terms of his Department's circular on homelessness dated 7th February 1974; and what response he has had from local authorities to the circular.
§ Mr. FreesonOn 22nd May 1975 my Department issued a questionnaire to local authorities in England in order to establish the extent to which they had so far implemented the main recommendations of the homelessness circular. The responses show that, while there is still considerable variety in practice throughout the country, progress has been made on the lines set out in the joint circular. The results of the questionnaire are being taken into account in deciding, as part of the current homelessness review, how responsibilities for homelessness should be further defined, and what further action is needed.