§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the source of the calculation in the consultation paper, "Access to Local Authority and Housing Association Tenancies" that homelessness acceptances accounted for 45 per cent. of local authority lettings in 1992–93; what is the source of the figure of 29 per cent. in the research report accompanying the consultation paper; and what is the comparable figure from housing investment programme returns from local authorities.
§ Sir George YoungThe percentage figure given in the consultation document is based on information provided by local authorities on their 1993 housing investment programme—HIP—returns; it relates to the proportion of new lettings, that is total lettings less transfers of existing tenants and dwellings let through mutual exchanges or mobility arrangements, in 1992–93, both secure and non-secure, that were to homeless households.
The figure in the research report is based on a representative sample of new local authority secure tenancies over the period April to July 1991.
There are a number of differences between the two proportions, including the reference period and the coverage of the sample and the definition of new lettings.