§ Mr. Bill WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he is making any arrangements to safeguard the health of people sleeping rough in central London in the event of severe weather by providing some form of temporary shelter.
§ Mr. FreemanIn the event of exceptionally cold weather I have prepared contingency plans for temporary shelters to be provided by certain health authorities, local authorities and voluntary organisations. The estimated total cost of this service for this winter, if the scheme is activated, is £450,000. Parliamentary approval to expenditure by local authorities on this new service will be sought in a supply estimate for the Department of Health administration, miscellaneous health services and personal social services, England vote (class XIV vote 3). Pending that approval urgent expenditure estimated at £40,000 will be met by repayable advances from the contingencies fund.