HC Deb 31 July 1980 vol 989 cc847-50W
Mr. Stuart Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what extra measures will be made available by his Department in view of the non-allowance by the Charity Commission of the transfer of the Alcoholics Recovery Project's housing properties to housing associations;

(2) what additional joint finance funds will be made available by his Department for Alcoholics Recovery Project in the next financial year;

at Committee stage in the House of Commons, (ii) at Report stage in the House of Commons, (iii) at Committee stage in the House of Lords, (iv) at Report stage in the House of Lords and (v) on Third Reading in the House of Lords; and how many other amendments, new clauses, new schedules have been made or added to the Housing Bill in each House of Parliament.

Mr. Stanley

The list of Lords amendments will be published shortly and I will provide the right hon. Member with the information he is seeking in good time before the debate.

Mr. Kaufman

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place in the Library, in good time before the House of Commons considers Lords amendments to the Housing Bill, explanatory notes on each of the amendments, new clauses and new schedules which have been made or added to the Bill in the House of Lords.

Mr. Stanley

The amendments, new clauses and new schedules added to the Housing Bill were described when they were introduced in another place. I would therefore refer the right hon. Member to theOfficial Report of the House of Lords proceedings on the Housing Bill.

(3) what provision has been made by his Department for finance to Alcoholics Recovery Project in the coming five years;

(4) what steps have been taken by his Department to ensure that rehabilitation hostels will not be forced to fill the beds at the expense of social work objectives.

Sir George Young

The Department has authorised a capital grant to the Alcoholics Recovery Project—ARP—in respect of one hostel which will qualify for revenue deficit grant for five years from the date of opening. Five ARP hostels whose grants from the Department were due to end this year are benefiting from the transitional grants announced in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Buckingham (Mr. Benyon) on 19 December 1979—[Vol. 976, c. 273–5.]—and these will continue until 31 March 1981 provided that, by 30 September 1980, the local authority agrees to help with future funding from 1 April 1981. The local authorities concerned are considering such requests from ARP. Joint finance can be used, and I have already agreed to provide whatever additional funds, by way of joint finances, are needed for these hostels. The maintenance of reasonable levels of occupancy, and any loss of income due to under-occupancy, are matters for discussion between the local authority and the voluntary organisation concerned. I understand that the Department of the Environment, the Housing Corporation and the Charity Commissioners are in consultation with a view to clarifying the position on the transfer of hostel properties.