HC Deb 14 November 1968 vol 773 cc154-5W
Mr. Whitaker

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many families have been in Part III accommodation; and how many children have been in care because of homelessness, in each of the last five years.

Mr. Ennals

Statistics of the numbers of families in temporary accommodation have been collected centrally for only the last two years. The figure for 31st December, 1966 is 2,558 and for 31st December, 1967, 2,975. Figures for the numbers of persons including children, in temporary accommodation in the last five years are given below.

TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION PROVIDED UNDER PART III OF THE NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT 1948
(England and Wales)
Year Number of persons living in temporary accommodation at 31st December
Persons (aged 16 and over) Children (aged 15 and under) Total
1963 3,814 7,121 10,935
1964 4,578 8,389 12,967
1965 4,251 8,160 12,411
1966 4,722 8,309 13,031
1967 5,641 9,933 15,574

Statistics compiled by the Secretary of State for the Home Department show that the numbers of children received into care by local authorities in England and Wales in each of the last five years where the reason was stated to be that the family was homeless were as follows:—

CHILDREN RECEIVED INTO THE CARE BECAUSE THE FAMILY WAS HOMELESS
Year Children received into care during the 12 months ended 31st March
1964 3,438
1965 3,050
1966 2,824
1967 2,498
1968 1,983

Mr. Whitaker

asked the Secretary of state for Social Services which local authorities do not permit fathers to live with their families in Part III accommodation.

Mr. Ennals

This is a matter dealt with in circulars to local authorities and Departments are following up reports on this and other aspects of the provision of temporary accommodation. I am not in a position to list authorities by reference to their performance in this respect.