HC Deb 17 February 1988 vol 127 cc660-1W
23. Mr. Bradley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the Government's latest estimate of the number of people who are homeless as a result of mortgage defaults.

Mr. Waldegrave

In the year to September 1987 English local authorities accepted an estimated 10,300 households as homeless because of mortgage arrears.

25. Mr. Ashdown

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the total cost at 1986–87 prices to local authorities of housing homeless families in emergency accommodation(a) in 1986–87 and (b) in 1979–80.

Mr. Ridley

From information supplied by authorities in England and Wales and calculations made by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, net expenditure on hostels and bed and breakfast, when expressed at 1986–87 prices, amounted to £1,697 and £472 per 1,000 population in 1986–87 and 1979–80 respectively.

40. Mrs. Ray Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to seek to amend the homeless persons legislation; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Roe

No.

52. Mr. Andrew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what further steps he proposes to reduce levels of homelessness.

Mrs. Roe

I refer the hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning gave to the hon. Member for Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 2 December 1987, at column927.

60. Mr. Battle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he plans to publish and distribute the leaflet giving guidance on homelessness which was circulated for consultation purposes on 8 April 1987.

Mrs. Roe

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Hammersmith (Mr. Soley) on 8 February, at column22.

66. Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give figures for the number of households accepted as homeless in England(a) in 1980 and (b) in 1987 or the latest year for which figures are available.

Mrs. Roe

English local authorities are estimated to have accepted responsibility under the homelessness provisions of the Housing Acts for finding accommodation for 62,900 households in 1980 and for 108,100 in the 12 months to September 1987. The estimate for 1980 is not strictly comparable with more recent figures, because of a change in the method of reporting.