HC Deb 17 November 1981 vol 13 cc117-8W
Mr. Freeson

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to meet representatives of the London Boroughs Association and the Greater London Council to discuss and decide on the next stage in the provision of housing services in London required to replace the Camberwell resettlement unit; and when he will make a statement of the assistance he will provide to these authorities.

Mr. Stanley

My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security and I are due to meet LBA and GLC members on 18 November, and hope to be able to make a statement shortly after that meeting.

Lodging Houses and Hostels

Mr. Ernie Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to assist the Greater London council and the London boroughs to replace those London lodging houses and hostels which are closing; and whether he has discussed with the city of Westminster council and the Kensington and Chelsea borough council the closure of hostels at Bruce House and St. George's Milman's Street, Chelsea.

Sir George Young

My hon. Friends the Minister for Housing and Construction and the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security will be discussing with the Greater London council and London Boroughs Association on 18 November their proposals for hostels for the single homeless in London.

My hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Construction has already made £12 million available to the Housing Corporation for 1981–82 for hostels and it is devoting a substantial proportion of this to London.

The Department has discussed the future of Bruce House with Westminster city council from time to time and would be prepared to discuss the future of this hostel further, and of St. George's with the authorities concerned should they wish.