§ Mr. Delargyasked the Minister of Health whether he will make a further statement about developments at King Hill Hostel, West Mailing.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonI have discussed the situation fully with the Chairman of Kent County Council and other County Members. The County Council entirely accept the view that families ought not to be separated if this can be avoided. They are actively engaged in seeking premises where whole families (including husbands) who are likely to need temporary accommodation for more than a few days can be suitably accommodated. The Council adhere to the view that King Hill Hostel, which was acquired to meet short-term needs, is at present suitable only for use by mothers and children, but consideration of its future use will include the practicability of alterations to enable husbands to be accommodated in future.
268WThe Council do not normally expect families to need to remain more than three months. The stay of each family is reviewed by a Committee of County Members, and no family is asked to leave until its circumstances have been individually considered. In the past six months only one family, which had been at King Hill for about a year, has teen required to leave and the family, including the husband, was enabled to move to other accommodation.
The situation at the hostel remains a matter for deep concern. The steps the Council intend to take to remedy it, in consultation with housing authorities in the County, will necessarily take time. I have urged the Council to accelerate all necessary action. The difficult situation is certainly made worse by the irresponsible action of self-styled "Friends of King Hill" in actively encouraging residents not to co-operate with the authorities and to defy the Courts. I have great sympathy with people who have had the misfortune to lose their homes. I cannot condone actions which serve no useful purpose in themselves and which, by disrupting such services as can be provided at the hostel, are detrimental to the interests of all the residents.
Publicity has been given to the view that I have a power to give directions to the Kent County Council. I am satisfied on legal advice that in the present situation this is not so.