§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that his Department is doing sufficient to care for and support the increasing number of homeless men and women, particularly in the centres of large cities.
§ Mr. NewtonThe provision of health care and personal social services for homeless people is the responsibility of health and local authorities within available resources and in accordance with the policy set out in "Care in Action"*.
My right hon. Friend has a specific duty under supplementary benefit legislation to provide and maintain resettlement units at which those homeless people who are without a settled way of life are afforded temporary board and lodging with a view to influencing them to lead a more settled life. There are 23 resettlement units, mostly in or near large towns and cities, and I am satisfied that the scale of provision is broadly adequate. The Department also makes contributions to the funds of 35 voluntary organisations providing similar facilities to resettlement units.
*"Care in Action, A Handbook of Policies and Priorities for the Health and Personal Social Services in England", HMSO £3.30.