§ 34. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will encourage local authorities to build additional housing accommodation for old people that will include provision for meals and some nursing care.
§ Mr. SandysI am at present looking into the whole question of housing accommodation for old people and shall be making a statement shortly.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopWhile I welcome that announcement by the right hon. Gentleman, may I ask whether he will consult the Minister of Health and try to deal with the very sad and tragic cases which arrive in hospital, a situation which would be quite unnecessary if proper provision had been made for them in housing accommodation earlier?
§ Mr. SandysMy relations with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health are of the closest.
§ Mr. MitchisonAre the right hon. Gentleman's relations with the Chancellor of the Exchequer sufficiently close for this extra accommodation to attract the subsidy which has recently been taken away?
§ Mr. SandysMy relations with the Chancellor of the Exchequer are intimate and cordial.
§ Dame Irene WardDoes my right hon. Friend realise how glad I am that he now appears to be moving in the direction of co-operation?
§ Mr. SandysI have come to the conclusion that my best policy is one of co-existence with the hon. Lady.
§ Mr. GaitskellIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many people will observe with some surprise the distinction between his description of his relations with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and his relations with the hon. Lady?
§ 40. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government the present average difference in the cost of erecting one or two-roomed bungalows for elderly people and the normal council house; and to what extent flats are being erected providing small flats for elderly couples on the ground floor.
§ Mr. SandysThe answer to the first part of the Question is about £400 and £325 respectively. The information asked for in the second part of the Question is not available.
§ Mr. SorensenAs the Minister said in answer to a previous Question that he would make a statement about suitable provision for elderly people, can he say when he is likely to make such a statement, especially having regard to my Question?
§ Mr. SandysI will make my statement as soon as possible. That does not mean that I shall be able to say exactly how many flats on the ground floor have been provided and how many of them have been occupied by elderly people.