§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what reports he has received on the operation of the revised board and lodging regulations for young people with particular reference to those without an accepted home address and those released from prison; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonMy hon. Friend wrote to me on 24 June enclosing a letter from the Essex probation service about this problem and he will receive a full reply shortly.
The exemptions from time limits on boarder status already cover people who entered the accommodation as 482W part of a programme of rehabilitation or resettlement under guidance from, among others, the probation service. The time limits do not apply to young peole in hostels, including probation hostels.
In addition, we have received a number of letters from other hon. Members and from organisations and individuals asking for consideration to be given to exempting other categories of young people from the time limits on board and lodging payments. In my statement to the House on 25 June I announced that we were introducing regulations to extend the exemption categories to cover young people living with their families in board and lodging accommodation. The regulations, which were laid yesterday, will also allow the exemption categories to be further extended if the need is shown.