HC Deb 01 June 1954 vol 528 c1061
18. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of hardships now being experienced by old-age pensioners in the city of Edinburgh as revealed by a recent survey made by the medical officer of health for that city; and what steps he proposes to take to mitigate these hardships.

Commander Galbraith

My right hon. Friend has seen a report of some preliminary findings from this survey, which is being conducted under the auspices of the corporation and the university with a grant from his Department. The purpose of the survey, which is not yet complete, is to learn more about the health and welfare needs of old people, and its findings will be of great assistance to both statutory and voluntary agencies in the further development of services in this field.

Mr. Willis

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the same survey also revealed that many pensioners do not know the facilities for assistance available to them? Will he have consultations with a view to making those facilities more widely known?

Commander Galbraith

One of the objects of the survey is to discover what the old people require. Certainly when the survey is complete we shall take notice of all those things.