Homelessness Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate

Lord Bishop of Ripon and Leeds

Main Page: Lord Bishop of Ripon and Leeds (Bishops - Bishops)

Homelessness

Lord Bishop of Ripon and Leeds Excerpts
Monday 28th March 2011

(13 years, 7 months ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text
Baroness Hanham Portrait Baroness Hanham
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

The answer to that is yes. The Ministry of Defence is represented on the cross-ministerial group. It is well understood that a number of the people who are on the streets are prisoners who have been let out without care. I know that attention is also being given to ensure that better care is given to prisoners before they leave prison, because it is clearly one aspect that is giving difficulty.

Lord Bishop of Ripon and Leeds Portrait The Lord Bishop of Ripon and Leeds
- Hansard - -

My Lords, can local authorities really stop organisations distributing food to those in need on the streets? Will the Government ensure that charitable work that has been conducted by organisations such as St George’s Crypt in Leeds for generations is not destroyed or damaged by anti-humanitarian by-laws?

Baroness Hanham Portrait Baroness Hanham
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My Lords, I think that the question refers rather opaquely to the proposal by Westminster to provide a by-law. That is a very specific initiative that Westminster is looking at, and it will involve a very small area. The Government have no intention of stopping soup runs elsewhere in the country. They are a very valuable assistance to people who are rough sleeping, although one has to be careful that they do not provide a magnet for those who are not rough sleeping but are just coming for cheap soup.