§ 54. Mr. DAYasked the Minister of Health the number of applications his Department has received for the erection of small and cheap cottages for housing old and aged persons without children who are in receipt of old age pensions, and which will enable them to avoid being sent to public institutions; and whether he can say the number of these applications that have been refused by him and give particulars and the reasons for such refusals?
§ Sir K. WOODSince the passing of the Act of 1924 my Department has approved proposals for the erection of about 15,000 houses and tenements of types suitable for aged persons. Records available relate not to applications received but to approvals which have been given. I am not aware of any case in which approval has been refused to satisfactory proposals of this kind, but if the hon. Member has any particular case in mind I shall be glad to look into it.
§ Mr. DAYWill the right hon. Gentleman draw the attention of local authorities to the very urgent need for these cottages to be built?
§ Sir K. WOODI have already done so.
§ Sir K. WOODThat is another question.
§ 62. Mr. RANKINasked the Minister of Health what was the amount of financial assistance provided during 1935 towards the erection of small cottages for the special purpose of housing old persons without children and with no substantial means beyond their old age pensions?
§ Sir K. WOODUnder the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, Exchequer subsidy was specifically provided in respect of about 5,000 houses erected for aged persons, and for the year 1935 the Exchequer commitment under the Act in respect of such houses was approximately £25,000. Up to 31st December, 1935, approval had been given under other Acts (mainly under the Act of 1930) to the erection of about 8,000 similar houses. On the assumption that 6,000 1404 of these houses had been completed by the end of 1935 the Exchequer commitment would be about £27,000.
§ Mr. WHITELEYAre we to understand from the answer that the Government are definitely agreeing to provide a subsidy for aged workers' homes on all schemes now before the Department?
§ Sir K. WOODYes, as stated in my answer.
§ Mr. GARRO-JONESIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that in many parts of the country the needs of these old persons are being subordinated to those of other people wanting houses and that the reason given for not providing houses for these old persons is that the facilities are being employed in building other houses; and will he take steps to adjust the balance?
§ Sir K. WOODIf the hon. Gentleman will send me particulars of any cases, I will gladly make inquiries.