§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received regarding rough sleepers in the north-west. [6656]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe consultation paper, "Rough Sleepers Initiative—Future Plans," was sent to all local authorities in England and to a number of voluntary and statutory sector agencies working with homeless people. It sought views on the future of the rough sleepers initiative and invited evidence on the extent of rough570W sleeping. Eighty-six local authorities responded. In the north-west, these were the borough of Blackburn. Copeland borough council, Hyndburn borough council, Manchester city council, South Ribble borough council and Wigan metropolitan borough council. Only Manchester city council indicated any significant problem of rough sleeping.
Manchester city council was invited to take part in a detailed evaluation of the extent of rough sleeping and services available to people sleeping rough in Manchester. Similar evaluations were conducted in 22 other areas around England where consultation responses suggested the existence of a rough sleeping problem. They were co-ordinated by Shelter, on contract to the Department of the Environment. The single night headcount in Manchester, which formed part of the evaluation there, found 31 people sleeping rough. On the basis of these evaluations, the Government are extending help to tackle rough sleeping to a number of areas around England, including Manchester. These were set out in detail in my 571W right hon. Friend's answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Beckenham (Mr. Merchant) on 31 October, Official Report, column 187.
§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to extend the rough sleepers initiative to the north-west; and if he will make a statement. [6657]
§ Mr. ClappisonI refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Beckenham (Mr. Merchant) on 31 October 1996,Official Report, column 187.