§ Dr. Godmanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many households applied to local authorities in Scotland for accommodation in 1985; how many were accepted; how many were accommodated in bed and breakfast hotels at the end of December 1985; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AncramThe information available centrally about the numbers of applications for accommodation and acceptances is neither complete nor compiled on a uniform basis. I must therefore refer the hon. Member directly to the local authorities in which he is interested. Provisional figures indicate that some 230 households who had applied under the Housing (Homeless Persons) Act 1977 were in bed and breakfast accommodation at the end of December 985.
It is primarily for local authorities to consider the level of housing need in their areas and to make proposals in r. he light of local circumstances and the resources available. The Government have increased the planned level of 235W capital investment in public sector housing in Scotland this year to £322 million, an increase of £46 million over the figure at the beginning of the last financial year.