HL Deb 25 February 2002 vol 631 c199WA
Lord Patten

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 11 February (WA 126–27), whether they now expect rough sleeping within the piazza in front of Westminster Cathedral to continue indefinitely. [HL2879]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

As stated previously [WA 127 refers] the Government do not set targets to reduce rough sleeping in specific areas such as the piazza in front of Westminster Cathedral. Westminster City Council has the responsibility for both addressing rough sleeping in its borough and the wider daytme street activity issues from which the piazza suffers, such as street drinking.

The Government's Rough Sleepers' Unit funds voluntary and statutory agencies to help, on a daily basis, those sleeping rough on the piazza. Whether the situation continues is dependent on people taking the help available.