§ Mrs. Millie Millerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the Government's intention to support the Housing (Homeless Persons) Bill published by the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight (Mr. Ross).
§ Mr. ArmstrongMy right hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Construction announced the Government support for the Bill on 23rd December. The Government welcome its main provisions as regards England and Wales which accord with the proposals outlined by my right hon. Friend on 26th November 1976, [Official Report, c. 438–39], which would have been brought forward had the pressures on the Parliamentary timetable permitted Government legislation this Session. I have made clear that the Government want to see effective legislation this Session in relation to England and Wales. In the Government's view the position in Scotland has developed quite differently and we believe it is more appropriate in Scotland to support the work of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to develop joint working agreements.