§ Mr. Wrayasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what specific measures he proposes to solve the problems of families in bed-and-breakfast accommodation paid for from public funds.
§ Mr. WaldegraveIt is for local authorities to decide how they discharge their duties towards homeless people. The Government have advised very strongly that they should not put families in bed and breakfast accommodation, and many local authorities do not do so. The Government have offered extra resources to local authorities to bring empty properties back into use to house homeless families. We have developed new mixed funding arrangements with housing associations specifically for the benefit of homeless people.