§ Mr. William Sheltonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to encourage the provision in London of cheap overnight accommodation of the Rowton House type, in view of the estimated 15,000 vagrants who are unable to find shelter each night.
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§ Mr. DeanMy right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has announced that he intends to introduce early legislation to give financial help towards accommodation of a hostel type for many classes of single people, particularly young and migrant workers and those with low or intermittent earnings. He is at present consulting local authorities and voluntary organisations about this.
The Supplementary Benefits Commission currently maintains 1,290 beds at the London reception centres. A further 200 beds will be provided before the end the year.
The numbers of homeless single people unable to find shelter on any one night in London cannot be reliably ascertained, but I know of no evidence to support an estimate of 15,000.