§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many homeless households were recorded by local authorities in bed and breakfast accommodation (a) at the end of December 1985 and (b) at the end of March 1986; what is his Department's assessment of the reasons for the difference between these figures; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. PattenIn England there were 4,270 households in bed and breakfast accommodation at the end of December 1985 and 4,940 at the end of March 1986. This increase will reflect such factors as those referred to in my reply on 30 January, at column 610, to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker). We do not know how many of the households concerned were placed in bed and breakfast accommodation pending inquiries into their circumstances.
§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is his Department's estimate of the number of homeless households accepted by London boroughs who were placed in bed and breakfast accommodation at the end of the first quarter of the current year; what figure has been supplied to his Department by Shelter based on returns from London boroughs concerning the number of homeless households they placed in bed and breakfast accommodation on the same date; and if he will make a statement;
829W(2) if he will list those local authorities failing to provide his Department with information (a) within the last quarter, (b) within the last half year, (c) within the last year and (d) within the last two years on (i) the number of homeless households accepted in their area and (ii) the number of homeless households placed in bed and breakfast accommodation at the end of the quarter as requested on his Department's quarterly PIE forms; what steps his Department is taking to improve local authorities' response rate to his Department's PIE forms; and what steps his Department is taking to revise its grossing-up procedure to take account of non-returns in the publication of the quarterly homelessness statistics.
§ Mr. John PattenIt is important that we have an accurate picture of the extent of homelessness and therefore that local authorities respond promptly to our regular requests for information on the subject. Most local authorities do so, but regrettably a number do not. The table sets out those authorities which have yet to respond in respect of the last published quarterly statistics—the second quarter of 1986—and those who did not respond to earlier requests for information.
Given the lack of response from certain local authorities, the Department's aggregate figures on homelessness have necessarily involved some estimation.
We are continually seeking to improve the response from local authorities. In addition we are considering possible adjustments to our methods of estimation.
830W
Homelessness: Local authorities failing to respond to the quarterly P1(E) in respect of the second quarter of 1986 (1) In respect of last quarter (2) In respect of last ' half year (3) In respect of last year (4) In respect of last 2 years Camden X X X X Newham X X X X North Bedfordshire X X X X Oswestry X X X Tower Hamlets X X X Hinkley and Bosworth X X X Stockton-on-Tees X X X Manchester X X X Sefton X X X Hackney X X Lambeth X X Christchurch X X Daventry X X Hackney X X Hillingdon X X Lewisham X X Purbeck X X Salford X X Sandwell X X South Herefordshire X X South Oxfordshire X X Watford X X Adur X Barking X Basingstoke X Bexley X Brent X Burnley X Bury X Carrick X Craven X Eastbourne X Epsom and Ewell X Gloucester X
(1) In respect of last quarter (2) In respect of last half year (3) In respect of last year (4) In respect of last 2 years Haringey X Havering X Hertsmere X Hyndburn X Kingston-upon-Hull X Kirklees X Loughborough X Lichfield X Lincoln X Luton X Mansfield X Medina X Mendip X Merton X Mole Valley X North Shropshire X Portsmouth X Preston X Purbeck X Reading X Rother X Selby X Sheffield X South Hams X Stockport X Three Rivers X Thurrock X Torbay X Walsall X Waltham Forest X Warrington X West Lancashire X West Lindsey X Wirral X Worthing X Wycombe X Wyre Forest X York X