§ Mr. Cookasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals are currently under discussion between his officials and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities concerning the collection of statistics on homelessness; and what is his estimate of the total saving to the central Government and of the additional cost to local government arising from the proposed changes.
§ Mr. RifkindMy Department has invited the views of the convention on a proposal which has been under preliminary discussion in the Central and Local Government Statistical Liaison Sub-Group on Homelessness Statistics. The proposal, which stems from a review of statistical services within the Scottish Office, is to introduce a simplified aggregate return of homelessness statistics which could save the central Government about £13,000 a year. I cannot at present assess the savings or costs for local government, but I have no doubt the convention will consider them.