57. Mr. David Adamsasked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that local authorities are generally providing an adequate number of dwellings of suitable types for elderly persons; and whether he has any information as to 986 the average rents charged for such accommodation?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Bernays)My right hon. Friend is satisfied that local authorities are making considerable efforts to provide houses of this type. By the end of October he had approved the provision of close on 27,500 of such houses. My right hon. Friend has no definite information relating to the rents charged for this type of accommodation, but, of all the houses provided by local authorities, some 23,000 are let at rents of 3s. a week or less.
Sir Joseph NailIs the Minister satisfied that the progress that has been made is adequate to meet the case?
§ Mr. BernaysMy right hon. Friend is satisfied that that is so.
Mr. AdamsIs the hon. Gentleman aware that, at a meeting of the National Housing Congress at Harrogate, which was addressed by the Minister, a definite demand was made for additional houses of this character?
§ Mr. BernaysYes, Sir.
§ Mr. GallacherIs any allowance being made for houses for young married couples?