§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has developed any proposals to seek to amend the Housing Act 1985 to extend the official definitions of homelessness and priority need.
§ Ms. RichardsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to amend part III of the Housing Act 1985 to extend the statutory responsibilities of local authorities to include single women; and if he will make a statement about single women and homelessness.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThe Government recently reviewed the homelessness legislation and concluded that the Act provided an adequate safety net for the genuine homeless in priority need. We concluded that the Act was serving the purpose which Parliament had originally intended of it, and therefore proposed no changes to the statutory framework.
§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of the £15 million recently allocated for the relief of homelessness will be spent on the provision of more hostel placements for young people in London.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerWe are in the process of consulting public bodies, local authorities and housing associations about the provision of direct access and move-on accommodation through the programme which I announced on 22 June.