§ 43. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the number of infirm aged persons and a certain number of aged persons anxious to secure smaller and more compact accommodation than their present habitation, he will take steps to cause local authorities to authorise their welfare services to erect substantial weather-proof hutments, where other accommodation is not available, in order to accommodate, in particular, the aged infirm now frequently living in circumstances beyond the power of alleviation by welfare officers.
§ Mr. MarquandI am ready to consider any proposals which local authorities may submit to me for the provision of residential accommodation for persons in 656 need of care and attention which is not otherwise available to them, but I do not think that, in general, hutments would provide suitable accommodation for this purpose.
§ Mr. SorensenWhile I agree with that last observation, may I ask my right hon. Friend if he realises that quite a number of infirm aged people who could be transferred would, if they were transferred elsewhere, make available for other people larger accommodation which these aged people do not require? Under these circumstances could the Minister at least confer with local authorities to see what can be done to meet this need?
§ Mr. MarquandYes, Sir. This is undoubtedly one of the most serious social problems of our time. We consider it very carefully in the Department and we will be ready to discuss it with local authorities as well.