23. Miss WARDasked the Minister of Health whether he can state in percentages the number, respectively, of rural district councils, urban district councils, and municipal corporations, which have built special housing for aged persons since the War?
§ Sir K. WOODThe percentages of local authorities who have built, or are building, accommodation specially designed for aged persons, are as follow: Rural district councils, 9 per cent.; urban district councils, 14 per cent.; borough and county borough councils, 31 per cent.
Miss WARDIn view of the fact that great interest was expressed in this question at recent conferences of rural and district councils, and, in view also of the fact that there is not an adequate supply of houses for the old, would the right hon. Gentleman consider having a conference of local authorities and, if it is found satisfactory, encouraging them to include an adequate proportion of houses for the old in all future housing schemes?
§ Sir K. WOODI shall gladly consider whether any further useful steps can be taken as the hon. Member desires.