§ Mr. Shoreasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will take steps to extend the definitions of accommodation within current housing legislation such as would allow a local authority to accommodate homeless families on moored ships;
(2) what approaches he has received from the London borough of Tower Hamlets seeking his approval for plans to accommodate homeless families on shipping moored on the Thames; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungMy right hon. Friend has received no such approaches. It is for the local authority concerned to consider how to fulfil its duties to secure accommodation for homeless people under part III of the Housing Act 1985, having regard to our code of guidance and its powers under housing and other legislation.
§ Mr. Shoreasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many homeless families are currently housed in bed and breakfast accommodation in each of the London boroughs; and what is the estimated cost per annum, for each council concerned.
§ Sir George YoungI refer the right hon. Member to my Department's published tables of homeless households reported by local authorities for the first quarter of 1986, and to the reply to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) on 23 June on the cost to local authorities. Copies of the relevant papers have been placed in the Library.