§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has for the care of the temporary homeless after 1st April next when local authorities will no longer be obliged to undertake these responsibilities; and what proposals there are for Nottinghamshire in particular.
§ Mr. ChannonThe long established duty on social services authorities to provide temporary accommodation for homeless people under Section 21(1)(b) of the National Assistance Act 1948 will not come to an end on 1st April. It will be continued by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services, by a direction under Section 195(3) of the Local Government Act 1972. This direction will apply to all social services authorities.
In addition, I shall very shortly be publishing, jointly with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, a circular designed to encourage local authorities to deal more effectively with the problems of the homeless.