§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what she learned from her visits to Simonswood House and Fazakerly Reception Centre on Tuesday 3rd February 1976.
§ Mr. MeacherI, and not my right hon. hon. Friend, visited Simonswood House and Fazakerly Reception Centre on 3rd February. I gained first-hand experience of the work of the Kirkby local social security office and saw that it managed well a considerable workload in an area of particularly high male unemployment. I discussed at length the problems arising from rent payments and heating bills, and noted the growing co-operation with the local authority housing and social services departments and the gas and electricity boards. I also saw the patient work being undertaken at Fazakerly to provide accommodation for men without a settled way of living and to try and re-establish them in employment. In particular I also discussed in detail the various services provided, statutorily and voluntarily, for the homeless in the area.