§ Mr. Ron BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people are currently homeless in Lothian and Edinburgh respectively; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonFigures available centrally relate to the number of households which apply to local authorities and are assessed by them under Part II of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987. Over the 12 months to 31 March 1990, the number assessed as homeless in Edinburgh was 1,957; the corresponding figure for Lothian was 2,636. I announced in December 1990 that an extra £2 million allocation would be made available in 1991–92 for homelessness projects in the four cities. An announcement of the schemes to be assisted will be made very soon.