§ 40. Mr. Sparksasked the Minister of Health what contribution is made from Government grants to the welfare services of local authorities, in the nearest convenient year; and how much of this was for the provision of aged persons' homes and accommodation for homeless families, respectively.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithApart from the financial assistance, estimated to have amounted to about £2,200,000, given where necessary by the National Assistance Board to enable residents in welfare homes to meet the minimum charges payable to the local authorities, contributions totalling £527,304 were made in 1954–55 under the National Assistance Act, 1948, and the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, 1944. Of the latter total, £104,076 was for the provision of residential accommodation and £1,168 for the provision of temporary accommodation under the National Assistance Act.
§ Mr. SparksIs the hon. Lady aware of the immense amount of work still waiting to be done in regard to the provision of homes for aged persons? Will she take into consideration the necessity of improved Government grants on a percentage basis, in the same way as percentage grants are made to local authorities for education, health and other services? In the absence of improved Government grants this very desirable service must lag behind considerably.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithThe point raised by the hon. Member would require legislation, because it alters the basis of the terms of agreement laid down under the Act. About 800 old people's homes have been opened since the inception of the National Health Service, and between 3,000 and 4,000 beds a year are being added. I cannot give any assurance as to the very different basis which the hon. Member suggests for the financing of schemes as between local authorities and the Treasury.