§ Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what information he has as to which local authorities (a) impose and (b) do not impose a test of previous local residence as a qualification for inclusion on the list of homeless people; what information he has as to the effect of such a test on the length of the list of homeless; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will introduce legislation to require local authorities to impose a test of previous local residence as a qualification for inclusion on the homeless list; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TraceySection 67 of the Housing Act 1985 provides for the reference to another local authority of homeless people who have a local connection elsewhere in Great Britain. The detailed definitions of local connection and the operation of referral arrangements are the subject of an agreement between the local authority associations. Some 800 households a year are transferred between authorities on the basis of this agreement. No national breakdown by type of local connection is available, but we expect to obtain some information through the Department's research into homelessness. My right hon. Friend has no immediate plans to impose requirements in this field.