§ Mr. Raymond S. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how he intends to address the question of homelessness in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LangI have today placed in the Library of the House copies of a consultation paper entitled "Tackling Homelessness". This follows the publication on 29 March of a research report dealing with the operation of the 1991 code of guidance on homelessness in Scotland. The consultation paper takes into account the results of this198W research and sets out a range of specific questions about the way in which the present framework of legislation on homelessness is interpreted and applied in practice by local authorities.
The primary statutory responsibility for dealing with homelessness lies with local housing authorities and there is no intention of changing this arrangement. At present there are essentially two methods of acquiring a tenancy with a local housing authority—either by making a direct application to the landlord concerned, and usually going on the relevant waiting list until a suitable property becomes available, or by being accepted as unintentionally homeless and in priority need by a local housing authority—in which case the authority has a duty to secure long-term accommodation for that household.
There is a considerable overlap between these approaches. It is known from the code of guidance research that in the six local authority areas studied, around 31 per cent. of homlessness applicants were already on a general waiting list. In 1992–93, 24 per cent. of all new housing authority lets in Scotland were to homeless households.
I am concerned to ensure that there are no legislative or other barriers which may prevent local housing authorities arriving at a suitable balance between the needs of different groups of applicants. One of the purposes of this 199W consultation is therefore to find out whether such barriers exist in Scotland and, if so, to decide how they can be overcome. Consequently the consultation paper sets out a number of questions for discussion on this and other related issues which need to be addressed by local authorities, Scottish Homes and other housing agencies.
The Government's overall aim is to achieve a fair and effective system for meeting the housing needs of those who rely on rented housing in both the public and private sectors. I intend to review the results of this consultation very carefully before bringing forward any proposals to change or reform the basis for homelessness provision in Scotland. At this stage, I look forward to a helpful and constructive response to the consultation paper which is being circulated to all Scottish hon. Members and to a wide range of housing interests.