§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions his Department has had with the Department of Health on the progress of the homeless mentally ill initiative; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungOfficials of my Department meet with those of the Department of Health from time to time to discuss issues relating to the homeless mentally ill initiative, and in particular the contribution which the Housing Corporation is able to make to the provision of move-on accommodation.
§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many homeless people are estimated to have used each of the cold weather shelters so far this winter.
§ Sir George YoungAs part of the rough sleepers initiative, the Government are funding seven cold weather shelters this winter, providing a total of 353 places until 31 March 1994 for people who would otherwise sleep rough on the streets of central London, as follows:
Location Bedspaces Managing organisation Male Female St. John Street, EC1 76 15 English Churches Housing Group Tudor Street, EC4 30 — Salvation Army Albert Street, NW1 — 25 Camden Borough Council Soho Square, W1 20 20 Centrepoint Soho Page Street, SW1 60 10 St. Mungo's Association Tooley Street, SE1 50 10 Crisis John Street, WC1 26 11 Riverpoint The shelters have had high occupancy rates since they opened early in December. On the night of Thursday 13 January, 313 bedspaces were occupied. More detailed information about the people using the shelters will become available from reports which the managing organisations are due to send to the Department by 31 May 1994.