Housing for the Aged (Hansard, 20 October 1971)

§ 41. Mr. Greville Janner
asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now issue a circular to all local authorities requesting them to take special measures to provide housing for the aged.

§ Mr. Channon
The Government's policy is to encourage the provision of more housing for old people. At the moment local authorities are devoting over a quarter of all their new house-building to one-bedroom and bedsitting room accommodation, most of which will be intended for the elderly. My right hon. Friend does not think that a circular is called for at the present time, but he will keep the situation closely under review.

§ Mr. Janner
Is it not right that elderly people as a whole are far less well off than the rest of the community? Is it also not right that elderly people find it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to obtain mortgages? In those circumstances, would the Minister reconsider his decision and give a firm directive to all local authorities that absolute priority should be given to homes for elderly people?

§ Mr. Channon
The figures that I have given show that an ever-increasing proportion is being devoted towards that purpose. We will certainly keep the situation under review. There is a lot in what the hon. and learned Gentleman says.

§ Mr. Freeson
Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the figure of 25–26 per cent. of local authority housing devoted to the elderly has been fairly constant for a number of years? Does it not follow that if there is a reduction in the total number of houses built there will be a reduction in the number of those built for the elderly? What action does he propose to take?

§ Mr. Channon
The hon. Gentleman will be pleased to learn that the proportion has risen to nearly 31 per cent., so that the question is not strictly relevant.

§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg
Does not my hon. Friend agree that the encouragement given to local authorities by this Government to get on with the job is far better than the issue of stern directives such as the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, North-West (Mr. Janner) suggests, which would be another interference with local government?

§ Mr. Channon
My right hon. Friend has no power to issue a directive on this matter. I think the views of the whole House are that local authorities should devote an increasing proportion of their time and energies to this purpose, and they are doing so.