HC Deb 16 March 1976 vol 907 cc511-3W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will undertake a survey of the number of homeless men and homeless women.

Mr. Meacher

My hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Construction is now responsible for collecting statistics on homelessness provided by local authorities and hopes to publish the first results shortly. The Social Survey Division of the Office of Population, Censuses and Surveys recently published a report of a national survey of hostels and lodgings for homeless single people, which was carred out on behalf of my Department, and I have placed copies in the Library.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the longest period for which anyone has been resident in a SBC reception centre.

Mr. Meacher

I regret that this information is not available. Of thise still resident one man of 78 years has been in the centre for 15 years; he has refused to accept Part III accommodation.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the proportion of those once resident in a reception centre who return after attempting to find their own accommodation.

Mr. Meacher

I regret this information is not available.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average length of stay in a reception centre.

Mr. Meacher

On 24th February 1976, of the 1,530 persons accommodated in the 21 reception centres directly administered by the Supplementary Benefits Commission, 387 had been resident for less than one week; 633 resident for one week or more but less than 13 weeks; 381 resident for 13 weeks or more but less than 52 weeks and 129 for 52 weeks or more.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will outline the plans for a number of smaller reception centres to replace the Camber-well centre; when they will become operational; and how many places each one will provide.

Mr. Meacher

Since December 1971 new centres for men have been opened in Battersea with 76 beds; in Soho with 80 beds; in Clapham with 100 beds; in Willesden with 80 beds, and in Notting Hill with 120 beds. A new centre in Lewisham will open in 1977–78 with 150 beds. It is also planned to use the Southwark Reception Centre now used for women, as a centre for men. Further proposals must depend on how the situation develops but the Property Services Agency, on behalf of the Supplementary Benefits Commission, is continuing to seek other sites or premises in London suitable for use as reception centres.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will list the 23 reception centres provided by the SBC and indicate the capacity of each and its occupancy at the latest available date.

Mr. Meacher

The information as at 24th February 1976 was as follows:

DIRECTLY ADMINISTERED RECEPTION CENTRES
Provincial Reception Centres Number of Beds Number accommodated on 24th February 1976
Alvaston, Derby 104 57
Fazakerley, Liverpool 61 26
Crown Quay Lodge, Sittingbourne 76 49
Glasgow 30 26
Leeds 96 47
Newbury, Berkshire 68 64
Plawsworth, Co. Durham 112 105
Southampton 80 69
South Wales 64 56
Walkden, Manchester 84 51
West Midlands, Stourbridge 140 107
Winterbourne, Bristol 112 78
Woodhouse, Sheffield 96 69
London Reception Centres
Camberwell 938 653
Battersea 76 49
Cedars Lodge, Clapham 100 67
West End, Soho 80 51
Pound Lodge, Willesden 80 80
Southwark* 55 2†
Camden* 35 30
Notting Hill 120 63
Reception Centres Administered by Local Authorities
Brighton 38 34
Leicester 90 29
Totals 2,735 1,862
* Centres for women.
† In view of the limited use made of Southwark it is planned to use it as a centre for men.