HC Deb 27 July 1976 vol 916 cc167-8W
Mr. Lamborn

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will make a statement on the results of his further inquiries into the implementation by housing authorities in England and Wales of the Circular on Homelessness issued jointly by his Department and the Department of Health and Social Security, which he announced would be undertaken on 15th December 1975.

(2) which housing authorities in England and Wales occasionally or invariably have to split up homeless families admitted by them into temporary accommodation.

Miss Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the outcome of the inquiries he announced on 15th December 1975 into the practice of some housing authorities in England and Wales of splitting homeless families admitted by them into temporary accommodation.

Mr. Freeson

Following my reply on 15th December 1975;

I made inquiries of those housing authorities whose replies indicated that they did split families. In the light of their replies I am satisfied that all housing authorities accept that it is most undesirable to separate the husband from the rest of the family, and that they do not do so except in circumstances where they consider there is no acceptable alternative, for example in cases of marital violence or when no suitable accommodation is immediately available.

This information was supplied by local authorities on the understanding that the results would be published in aggregate form only. It would not therefore be right for me to give information about individual authorities.