§ 45. Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration he has given to ways of relaxing the duties of local authorities with respect to homeless persons; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RoeMy right hon. Friend has no plans to amend the duties of local authorities towards the homeless. But we do not rule out discussing with them ideas about the way they are carried out.
§ 51. Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many homeless families have been placed in bed-and-breakfast accommodation in England and Wales in the current year so far; and what is his latest estimate of the cost.
§ Mrs. RoeAt 31 December 1987, the latest quarter for which information is available, there were 10,370 households in bed-and-breakfast accommodation placed there by local authorities in England. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales has responsibility for these matters as they affect the Principality. Information on the number of households placed in bed-and-breakfast accommodation during the financial year 1986–87 and on related expenditure is contained in "Homelessness Statistics, 1986–87 Actuals" published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, copies of which are in the Library.