§ 34. Mr. Turtonasked the Minister of Health whether he will provide local authorities with a distinctive card for distribution to aged people living alone, so that they may be able to display the card in their window when they are in need of help.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Blenkinsop)No, Sir. This is a suggestion that should be left to the local authorities together with the voluntary organisation to consider.
§ Mr. TurtonDoes not the hon. Gentleman agree that it is very valuable to have a window card which is uniform in all local authority areas, so that such a card can easily be recognised and many deaths prevented? Will he look into the matter, which is of great importance to old people living alone?
§ Mr. BlenkinsopThis matter has been looked into and some authorities run such a scheme, but there is doubt whether it is an advisable scheme.
§ Mrs. MannWould it not be rather a dangerous suggestion to carry out, as it might leave the house open to any suspicious characters who may be in the neighbourhood?
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind, particularly arising from the debate in another place yesterday, that there is very widespread concern about the number of old people who are left alone in very difficult circumstances? If this is not the best way to solve the problem will he consider something similar, but more suitable?
§ Mr. BlenkinsopWe have been encouraging local authorities to get together with voluntary organisations to work out schemes for their areas, and this is going forward rapidly.