HC Deb 26 April 1988 vol 132 c135W
Mr. Hunter

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment by how much in money terms, real terms and as a real term percentage increase or decrease on 1979, local authority expenditure on the provision of accommodation for the homeless has increased or decreased in each year since 1979.

Mrs. Roe

The information requested is given in the table. It is based on information supplied by authorities in England and Wales to the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. Because of variations in the authorities responding the figures for different years are not strictly comparable.

Net Expenditure Per 1000 Population on Hostel and Bed and Breakfast Accommodation England and Wales
Current prices £ 1986–87 percentage prices change £
1979–80 282 472
1980–81 281 396 -16
1981–82 242 310 -22
1982–83 306 366 18
1983–84 350 400 9
1984–85 415 454 14
1985–86 653 674 48
1986–87 1,697 1,697 152

Mr. Hunter

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his policy with regard to the provision of bed and breakfast accommodation for the homeless.

Mrs. Roe

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning to my hon. Friend the Member for Fulham (Mr. Carrington) on 24 March at column191–92.