HC Deb 04 December 1973 vol 865 cc1069-70
8. Mr. Kaufman

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why he refuses to exercise his power to grant financial aid to the Little Sisters of the Poor, Plymouth Grove, Manchester.

Mr. Alison

Because, as has already been explained to the hon. Member, it is for the local authority and not central Government to provide any assistance considered necessary.

Mr. Kaufman

Does not the hon. Gentleman recall that, in telling me that he himself refused to provide loan aid for the redevelopment of the old people's home of the Sisters of the Poor in my constituency under the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968, he further added in correspondence that if Manchester Corporation was minded to help financially he would be reluctant to allow it to do so? Is this not, therefore, a meaningless answer that he has given? In view of the dedicated work of these selfless women, which saves the State hundreds of thousands of pounds which would otherwise be spent, will he look at this matter again?

Mr. Alison

I shall certainly look again at any correspondence that the hon. Gentleman reminds me I have sent to him. But if any proposals for rebuilding the home were substantially in line with the standards that my Department requires for such building, and if Manchester Corporation was prepared to make a loan in respect of the work, my right hon. Friend would be willing to consider an application from the local authority for loan approval to assist it to do so.

Mr. Kaufman

Does that, therefore, mean that the hon. Gentleman is prepared, in terms of his supplementary answer, to look again at this matter?

Mr. Alison

I have already said that much, at least.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

In deciding whether to look at this question again, is the Minister aware that already the Little Sisters of the Poor, who do a splendid job in caring for the aged, have been obliged to close one of their homes in Newton Heath in my constituency as a result of the financial burden they carry in looking after people? Will he look at this question again, giving it serious reconsideration?

Mr. Alison

I very much hope that the hon. Gentleman will have referred this matter to Manchester Corporation, which, as I have indicated, has the primary responsibility for helping with the finance of local homes such as this.