§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what were his reasons for the closure of Bridge House resettlement unit; and why it was closed on that particular date.
(2) whether he will make a statement on the Government's policy concerning the provision of alternative direct access accommodation to replace Bridge House resettlement unit.
§ Miss WiddecombeI refer the hon. Member to the letter of 23 July 1991 from the chief executive of the Resettlement Agency to my hon. Friend the Member for Kensington (Mr. Fishburn), a copy of which is available in the Library.
§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on provision for homeless single people in Kensington and Chelsea(a) before and (b) after the closure of Bridge House resettlement unit.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe Resettlement Agency, which is an agency within the Department of Social Security, operates 19 resettlement units nationally which provide temporary board and lodging for single homeless people with an unsettled way of life with a view to helping them resettle. Six of the agency's units are in London. A seventh, Bridge house in Notting Hill, was closed earlier this year on health and safety grounds. At the time of its closure the unit was operating 95 bed spaces. When the unit closed a total of 101 extra bed spaces were created in the remaining London units and Sittingbourne.
General responsibility for homeless people is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.