HC Deb 19 March 1936 vol 310 c607
56. Lieut.-Commander TUFNELL

asked the Minister of Health what special encouragement is given by his Department at the present time to the erection in various parts of the country of an adequate supply of small and cheap cottages for housing old persons, without children, in receipt of old age pensions, to enable them to avoid being sent to public institutions?

Sir K. WOOD

In the last memorandum on housing issued to local authorities in October last, I drew their attention to the advantage of including in housing schemes special homes for aged persons. Since 1st March, 1935, I have approved the erection of 5,252 aged persons' cottages by 224 local authorities.

Sir PERCY HURD

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Department's reference to this matter consisted of one line and three-quarters in the memorandum, and cannot the special attention of local authorities be drawn to it?

Sir K. WOOD

I hope that the importance of the Ministry's circulars will not be judged by the number of words in a paragraph.

Mr. DAY

May I ask if the number of applications before the right hon. Gentleman has improved?

Sir K. WOOD

The hon. Member's desire for that information will give him an opportunity of putting down a question.

Mr. WHITELEY

Will the Government grant subsidies to local authorities who are prepared to erect houses for aged workers?

Sir K. WOOD

I would prefer the hon. Gentleman to put that question down.

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