§ 20. Mr. SedgemoreTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has developed any fresh proposals to reduce homelessness.
§ Mr. ChopeI refer the hon. Member to the reply given earlier today by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Carlisle (Mr. Martlew) and for Leyton (Mr. Cohen).
§ 25. Mr. BoatengTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will seek powers to redirect the resources currently spent on bed-and-breakfast accommodation for homeless people towards the provision of purpose built accommodation for them.
§ Mr. ChopeI am currently reviewing the homelessness legislation and hope to announce conclusions soon. But it is for local authorities to determine how to direct resources to meet their local housing needs. My Department has consistently advised that the best use must be made of existing stock to house the homeless before recourse to temporary accommodation and that bed-and-breakfast hotels should be used only as a last resort, especially for families.