HC Deb 09 July 1956 vol 556 cc9-11
26. Mr. Blenkinsop

asked the Minister of Health how many schemes for the building of accommodation for the elderly and infirm are under the terms of his Department's Circular 3/55 have been submitted by local authorities; how many have been approved in principle by his Department; and how many have been granted and refused loan sanction.

Mr. Turton

81, 64, 22 and 11.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Is it not absolutely clear that it is no use issuing a circular urging local authorities to go ahead with these schemes for the more infirm elderly if as many as eleven schemes are refused loan sanction? Is it not a case that very important schemes are being turned down by the Ministry at present?

Mr. Turton

Actually, of the eleven, five have been postponed because the applications were premature. I should think the Question shows what a great amount of work is going on. At present more than 60 buildings are being constructed or adapted for this purpose. That is work going on at present.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Is it not the case, however, that many schemes being put forward by local authorities and not reaching the full stage are being discouraged by the Ministry?

Mr. Turton

I have given the figures. So far eleven schemes have had loan sanction refused and, in the case of five, it was on the ground of premature application, as they were not ready to go forward.

Dame Irene Ward

Could we have the names of the local authorities attached to the list of figures in order that I may see whether the North-East Coast is getting its fair share?

Mr. Turton

If my hon. Friend puts down a Question, I will do my best to answer it.

28. Dame Irene Ward

asked the Minister of Health, in view of his decision to reverse his refusal to authorise the Northumberland County Council to proceed with the plan to acquire Shortridge Hall for housing old people, if he will now consider the wishes of the old people in Whitley Bay, who do not desire to be sent far from their surroundings and friends, and proceed to make use of the Prudhoe Memorial Home, which he has already acquired, which is deteriorating through lack of occupation, and which he refused to consider on the grounds that he was opposed to housing old people in large groups.

Mr. Turton

Any proposal which the county council may submit to me to provide further accommodation for old people in need of care in Whitley Bay, including any proposal to use the Prudhoe Memorial Home for this purpose, would be given my most careful consideration.

Dame Irene Ward

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, which is a great advance on the use of the Prudhoe Memorial Home, may I ask him to say whether he has now departed from his very human declaration that old people should be housed in small groups as that is much more friendly and human than being housed in large groups? Why has he retreated from his original very human approach to this problem?

Mr. Turton

There has been no retreat. My policy and the policy of the Government is to encourage the provision of small homes with accommodation for not more than 50 or 60 residents. In the neighbourhood of the constituency of my hon. Friend, the county council is at present building a new home with 30 beds at Wallsend and intends later to build a new home of the same size at Blyth. Both places, I think, are near to the place of which my hon. Friend is speaking.

Dame Irene Ward

They are not in my constituency.