§ Mr. Roy HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest available figure for homelessness; and what was the figure in 1979.
§ Mr. Chope[holding answer 4 December 1989]: In the 12 months to September 1989 English local authorities accepted responsibility for 122,280 households; in 1979 the figure was 57,200. However, because of a change in the reporting system between 1980 and 1982, the figure for 1979 is not strictly comparable with those for later years.
For Welsh figures I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.