§ Miss HoeyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions have taken place between Government officials and the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux in respect of advice services dealing with housing and homelessness.
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§ Mr. ChopeSince our announcement on 15 November of the conclusions of the homelessness review, my officials have had one meeting with officers of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux and my hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning has had one meeting with the association's council. The discussions have concerned our proposal to base a national advice service for homeless people on citizens advice bureaux network.
§ Miss HoeyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to withdraw section 73 funding from any of the organisations which currently receive it.
§ Mr. ChopeFollowing our review of the homelessness legislation, we have decided to increase by almost threefold the funding of voluntary bodies concerned with homelessness under section 73 of the Housing Act 1985. In the next financial year, £2 million will be available to support a national advice service and to enable voluntary bodies to mount a range of projects of direct and practical help to the homeless. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has not yet taken any decisions about the organisations which will receive this much increased grant aid under section 73 next year.