§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what guidance he is issuing to local authorities following cuts in housing benefit for short-term prisoners; [14823]
(2) what financial provision is being made to local authorities to provide for funding homes for released short-term prisoners and their children following housing benefit reductions. [14824]
§ Mr. Robert B. JonesWhere a person released from prison is homeless and in priority need a local authority has a duty, under part III of the Housing Act 1985, to ensure that accommodation is available for his occupation. My Department is discussing with the Department of Social Security the possible financial effects of the changes in housing benefit for prisoners serving longer than 13 weeks.