§ Rev. Martin Smythasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will extend the Registered Homes Act to cover all board and lodging establishments as well as residential care units and other places providing accommodation for the long-term homeless;
(2) if he will seek powers to extend the existing powers of inspection of residential care units held by local authorities to include all board and lodging establishments.
§ Mr. John PattenNo. The Registered Homes Act 1984 provides for the registration and inspection of residential establishments providing personal care; its provisions are not appropriate for other types of establishment. Local authorities already have powers under the Housing Acts to monitor houses in multiple occupation and any extension of these powers is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.