§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many homeless families and how many individuals within the families, were placed in bed-and-breakfast accommodation in 1990–91; what was the average number, for families and individuals, during the year; and what was the cost of their benefits.
§ Miss WiddecombeHomelessness issues are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.
I understand that information on the number of families or individuals placed in bed-and-breakfast accommodation during the year is not available; the average number of homeless households in bed-and-breakfast accommodation in 1990–91 is estimated at 11,900 in England; and information on the average number of individuals in each family is not available. The equivalent figures for Scotland and Wales are the responsibility of my right hon. Friends, the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales, respectively.
Information on the benefit paid is not available.
Source: Local authority quarterly returns to the Department of the Environment on their actions under the Homelessness legislation.