§ LORD HYLTONasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why the Baker family, formerly of 7 Melford Avenue, Thornton Heath, Surrey, were refused temporary accommodation when homeless by the London Boroughs of Croydon and Lewisham, and why the Supplementary Benefits Commission refused to assist the family under Section 25 of the National Assistance Act 1948; and whether the Secretary of State for Health and Social Security will make a direction in this particular case under Section 195 of the Local Government Act 1972.
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD ABERDARE)My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Social Services has received a letter from the Shelter Housing Aid Centre about the Baker family and has asked the Town Clerks of the London Boroughs of Croydon and Lewisham for their comments. The Supplementary Benefits Commission had written previously to the Shelter Housing Aid Centre explaining why they did not consider they would be justified in requiring under Section 25 of the National Assistance Act 1948 the London Borough of Croydon to provide temporary accommodation for this family and I will send my noble friend a copy of this letter. Section 195 of the Local Government Act 1972 does not give powers of direction which my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Social Services could use in relation to a particular case.
House adjourned at one minute past four o'clock.