To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to assist local authorities in Cornwall to meet their statutory obligations under the homeless persons legislation and in housing people on their waiting list.

Local authorities' HIP allocations in Cornwall as elsewhere take account of homelessness and other housing needs. Our proposals to inject more private funding into the housing association sector will make public sector resources stretch further. We have already announced that the Housing Corporation will aim to double the present level of provision by housing associations in rural areas.