§ Mr. GerrardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many of the(a) organisations, (b) individuals and (c) charities that responded to the "Access to Local Government and Housing Association Tenancies" consultation paper published in January 1994 were in favour of the proposals (i) that someone should not be found to be in need of assistance where there is alternative accommodation available, (ii) that the duty of a local authority towards someone needing assistance should be to secure accommodation for a limited period
and
(iii) that the private rental sector be used to accommodate more homeless households. [12139]
§ Mr. ClappisonNearly 80 per cent. of the 10,000 responses to the consultation paper were from members of the public. A further 10 per cent. were from local charities, churches and other voluntary groups. The next two largest groups of respondents were local housing authorities, 3 per cent., and housing associations, 2 per cent.
Only one in five responses commented on any specific proposal in the consultation paper. The majority of respondents expressed opinions about the supposed effects of the proposals as a whole on households accepted as homeless under the new duty. Fewer than 5 per cent. commented on the proposal that households should be ineligible for assistance if there is alternative accommodation available. Our analysis of the responses did not yield quantitative data for (ii) and (iii).