§ Dr. Evan HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what(a) number and (b) percentage of people who are considered homeless have been diagnosed with mental health problems. [56156]
§ Ruth KellyI have been asked to reply.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
Letter from Len Cook to Dr. Evan Harris, dated 16 May 2002:
As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question concerning the (a) number and (b) percentage of people who are considered homeless have been diagnosed with mental health problems. (56156)National figures for the number and percentage of people considered homeless who have been diagnosed with mental health problems are not available. However, in 1994 a national survey of mental disorder among homeless people aged 16 to 64 was carried out by ONS (then OPCS) on behalf of the Department of Health. In order to include all groups of homeless people, separate samples were selected from:hostels (530 people)private sector leased and short life accommodation (268 people)people sleeping rough and using nightshelters (187 people) and day centres (181 people).The attached table gives the prevalence of mental disorder found in the survey among homeless people resident in hostel and private sector leased accommodation. Further details of how disorder was assessed in this survey and the way in which the sample was selected can be found in Gill et al, (1996) Psychiatric morbidity among homeless people, London: HMSO.concluded in their favour; and what the total cost to his Department of litigation was in each year. [41112]
§ Ms BlearsThe available information is shown in the table. Detailed information for 1997–99 is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
859W
Cases defended by Department and its agencies Result Costs(Counsel fees and settlement costs)£ 1997 17 — — 1998 31 — — 1999 18 — — 2000 30 16 concluded in our favour 14,574.00 14 on-going 19,342.00 2001 28 12 concluded in our favour 47,656.00 16 on-going 11,650.00 9,500 part-time pension cases on-going —