§ Mr. Wheelerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to support the alcoholism hostels in London which are currently suffering from funding crises.
§ Mr. Soleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will provide further funding for alcoholism hostels in London where local authorities have referred the matter to the London Boroughs Association.
§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he intends to take about the funding crises faced by alcoholism hostels in London, where local authorities have referred the matter to the London Boroughs Association.
§ Sir George YoungIn accordance with the arrangements announced in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Buckingham (Mr. Benyon) on 19 December 1979, I have received assurances from all eight of the London boroughs with hostels in their areas whose DHSS grants were due to end this year, that they are considering requests from the voluntary organisations to help with future fundings.—[Vol. 976, c.273.] It is open to those authorities to discuss 206W with other local authorities ways in which the costs might be shared; but I hold out no hope of extending the offer that DHSS funding will continue until 31 March 1981, and then only where, by 30 September this year, the local authority primarily concerned accepts future funding responsibility.