HC Deb 06 July 1964 vol 698 cc9-10
21. Mr. Box

asked the Minister of Health what provision is being made in Cardiff for accommodating elderly people who need residential care.

Mr. Braine

Cardiff County Borough Council provides 427 places in 12 homes. Thirty-five places are provided by voluntary organisations acting as agents of the authority. The authority has two new homes with 83 places under construction and a further nine with 362 places are planned by 1974.

Mr. Box

Is my hon. Friend aware that his reply will be widely welcomed in Cardiff, but can he tell me how much of this accommodation will be provided from former public assistance institutions?

Mr. Braine

I am very glad to tell my hon. Friend that the answer to that is "None". Cardiff County Borough Council has the best record in Wales in the construction of purpose-built homes. I am very glad to say that the council vacated its last former public assistance accommodation early in 1961. Again I should like to pay tribute to a progressive authority.

Mr. G. Thomas

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his tribute to the Labour Council of Cardiff will be very deeply appreciated, and used? Despite the splendid record of the local authority, can the hon. Gentleman say how long it will be before we can eliminate the waiting list of those who desire residential care?

Mr. Braine

I seem to detect a partisan note creeping into the hon. Member's observations. In this particular field we see no distinction. There are first-rate authorities throughout the country, some under Socialist administration and some under Conservative administration. The important thing is that in recent years resources have become increasingly available from the Government in order to allow the expansion of local authority services. As for the latter point in the supplementary question, I notice that this subject is very near to the hon. Member's heart and that he has secured the Adjournment debate tonight. I suggest that we pursue the argument there.

Mr. Thomas

On a point of order. I am raising an entirely different matter tonight. Would you care, Mr. Speaker, to give me an opportunity to follow up the supplementary question.

Mr. Speaker

Not now.