§ 40. Mr. Ridleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people are being housed in hotels by the Supplementary Benefits Commission; what is the price per head per night; and what he estimates is the annual cost to Exchequer funds.
§ Mr. DeanThe Supplementary Benefits Commission has no power to provide housing and does not house people in hotels. When a family is homeless and alternative temporary accommodation is not immediately available, local authorities sometimes arrange for them to be housed temporarily in bed-and-breakfast accommodation to avoid taking the children into care. The cost of these arrangements is borne mainly by local authorities.