§ Mr. W. Benyonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the outcome of the transitional arrangements for the funding of hostels for alcoholics announced on 19 December 1979 in reply to the hon. Member for Buckingham, Official Report, Vol. 976, c. 273.
§ Sir George YoungYes. The purpose of the transitional arrangements was to enable hostels to continue after their central pump-priming grants had ceased. I very much appreciate the co-operation of local authorities and area health authorities in achieving this purpose. Subject to clarification in a few cases, I have received assurances from all 20 local authorities concerned that they are prepared to support, from 1 April 1981, those hostels whose central grants would otherwise have ended before that date. One authority is not supporting one of the two hostels in its area but I am satisfied that the voluntary organisation responsible has made adequate alternative arrangements. Accordingly, special bridging grants up to 31 March 1981 have now been authorised for all 35 hostels concerned.