HC Deb 19 July 1978 vol 954 cc215-6W
22. Mr. Dewar

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will issue further guidance to local authorities in Scotland regarding the workings of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act and, in particular, guidelines to ensure that no single housing scheme or area within a local authority will receive more than its proportionate share of those persons being rehoused under the Act.

Mr. Hugh D. Brown

We are committed, with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, to assessing the early experience of the working of the Act and the need for further guidance. My Department has already approached the Convention suggesting that the review be started soon. It is for each local authority in the circumstances of its own area to decide where to house the homeless people for whom it has a statutory responsibility.

24. Mr. Gourlay

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he proposes in order to ensure an effective coordination of the district housing departments and the regional social work departments in the operation of the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act.

Mr. Hugh D. Brown

In SDD circular no. 13/1978 we emphasised the need for close co-operation between housing and social work authorities to implement the Act effectively. The working of the Act so far suggests that good co-operation has been achieved in most parts of the country.