§ Mr. Maurice Macmillanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information is available to him of the number of local authorities who have interpreted the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977 as giving a priority need to young homeless people who may otherwise be at risk, as they may do 80W under section 2(1)(c) of the Act; and what guidance he intends to offer on this subject.
§ Mr. FreesonThe information the right hon. Member seeks will be available when the Department has analysed statistics it collects from local authorities, and I will write to him. The code of guidance which the Department issues under the Act suggests that homeless young people at risk of sexual or financial exploitation should be found accommodation wherever possible.