§ Mr. Arnold Shawasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made by housing authorities in England and Wales towards the wider and more comprehensive implementation of the Joint Circular on Homelessness, since his statement on 15th December 1975 that, by that date, only 60 per cent. of housing authorities accepted the primary responsibility for dealing with homeless people and that three-quarters of the authorities at that date restricted help to those with connections with their areas; and whether he is satisfied with the present position.
§ Mr. FreesonNo further survey has been undertaken since the one referred to in that reply. We have, as I then said, consulted the local authority associations and appropriate voluntary bodies in the housing and social services field and propose to bring forward legislation to place the statutory responsibility for accommodation for the homeless on housing authorities.