§ Mrs. Anne Kerrasked the Minister of Health what progress has been made by Kent County Council in their review of arrangements for temporary accommodation.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonI am informed that the council has endorsed reports from its Health and Welfare and Children Committees to the following effect. While the King Hill Hostel is to be retained, two other hostels are to be provided to serve other areas of the county. There are to be discussions with district councils about414W measures that can be jointly taken to prevent people losing their homes, to provide intermediate housing for evicted families and residents from temporary accommodation, and to find permanent housing for them as soon as possible. The council re-affirm the importance they attach to preventive measures, especially to avoid the break-up of families, and the provision of rehabilitative services.
The council has decided to retain its rules on length of residence and the exclusion of husbands from temporary accommodation. On the first point authority has been given for the relaxation of the rule in individual cases, and as matters relevant to this are to be the subject to judicial proceedings shortly I cannot comment further at present. The enforcement of the exclusion rule is, I understand, to be further considered by the Health and Welfare Committee.
I greatly hope that the new measures will be speedily implemented, and that discussions with housing authorities will be fruitful.