§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish any information taken into consideration by his Department in the preparation of the "Statement of Changes in the Immigration Rules", HC503, concerning households originating from (a) the old Commonwealth, (b) the new Commonwealth and (c) the European Community and accepted as homeless and in priority need of accommodation by (i) Tower Hamlets London borough council and (ii) other local authorities in England and Wales.
§ Mr. WaddingtonThe amendments that the Government made last summer in the "Statement of Changes in the Immigration Rules" (HC503), clarifying and strengthening the maintenance and accommodation requirements are designed to provide better safeguard For public funds. In making these changes, the Government were conscious of the additional demands that newcomers can place upon a variety of scarce resources, including public housing. In particular, as I stated in the debate in the House on 23 July 1985, at column 954, we had in mind the cost to the London borough of Tower Hamlets of maintaining families in bed and breakfast accommodation.