HC Deb 05 May 1976 vol 910 cc362-3W
28. Mr. George Cunningham

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue guidance to local authorities on the present state of their obligation to provide accommodation for homeless families.

Mr. Armstrong

I do not think that further guidance, in addition to the joint circular DOE 18/74, is called for at present.

Mr. Adam Butler

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he intends to make any changes in the statutory responsibility for housing the homeless; and, particularly, if he will make it mandatory on local housing authorities to provide accommodation or alternatively to finance local social services departments so to do.

Mr. Freeson

As I said in the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Hackney, South and Shoreditch (Mr. Brown) on 15th December 1975, the Government intend to place the statutory responsibility for accommodation for the homeless on local housing authorities. I hope soon to be able to report to the House progress towards formulating proposed statutory provisions.