§ Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the number of hostel places or other residential places to cater for the needs of young homeless people in London.
§ Mr. ArmstrongIt is not possible to say how many places are available specifically for homeless people under the age of 21. Some information is contained in the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys" report "Hostels and Lodgings for Single People". I shall write to the hon. Member about this.
§ Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the latest estimate of the number of homeless people under the age of 21 years in London; and what is the breakdown of that figure in terms of age and sex.
§ Mr. ArmstrongThe figures from the new system of collecting information about homeless people published recently show that in the first six months of 1975 local authorities in London accepted re-8W sponsibility for 6,280 homeless households, of which 2 per cent, were households consisting of one person of working age. It is not at present possible to break this down further. No data are at present available on homeless single people who do not come to the attention of local authorities.