HC Deb 03 June 1986 vol 98 cc717-8
3. Mr. Willie W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent representations he has received about the disposal of National Health Service residential accommodation for nurses and others.

The Secretary of State for Social Services (Mr. Norman Fowler)

There have been virtually none since I announced that the policy of rationalising the Health Service's holdings of residential accommodation will be so administered that no one who lives in such accommodation will be made homeless as a result.

Mr. Hamilton

Does the Secretary of State recall the Adjournment debate on this matter on 23 May, when the Minister for Health gave an undertaking that no one would be evicted from accommodation unless he or she was offered suitable alternative accommodation? Who will decide whether the accommodation is adequate in terms of rent, distance from the hospital and other matters? Will it be the Minister, the health authority or the nurse concerned? Will there be a right of appeal or arbitration on the matter?

Mr. Fowler

My right hon. Friend the Minister said that no one would be made homeless, that is that no one would be required to move without being offered a suitable alternative place in which to live. He also said that the NHS management board had been asked to review conditions under which staff occupy Health Service accommodation. Pending that review, health authorities are being asked not to implement plans that involve giving staff notice to quit.

Mr. Soames

Will my right hon. Friend acknowledge that in the south-east in particular there is real difficulty because of the extraordinarily high price of housing? At the same time there is a good deal of surplus NHS property. How will my right hon. Friend handle the matter in the south-east?

Mr. Fowler

I acknowledge the issue that my hon. Friend raises. We want to ensure that health authorities have sufficient accommodation for student nurses, junior doctors, and other trainees, to bring accommodation up to a reasonable standard and to improve the standards of accommodation. We also want to sell surplus accommodation which is standing empty. That state of affairs cannot be defended, and the sale will go ahead.

Mr. Kirkwood

The reassurances which the Minister gave last week and which have been repeated today by the Secretary of State, are welcome. If other accommodation is offered as being suitable, surely there should be some system of review.

Mr. Fowler

I am perfectly happy to look at that. We are reviewing the whole property management issue. I will ensure that the point is considered.

Mr. Raynsford

Is the Secretary of State aware that a number of staff who have given long service to the Charing Cross hospital in Fulham have been threatened with homelessness as a result of eviction from homes they occupy? Is he also aware that the number of nurses in the area is severely impaired by the lack of adequate accommodation there? What does the Secretary of State propose to do?

Mr. Fowler

If the hon. Gentleman had listened to what I said he would know that, pending the review, health authorities have been asked not to implement plans that involve giving staff notice to quit under the residential accommodation rationalisation process. I hope that now he will be able to assure his constituents that that is the policy, and not spread rumours that are untrue.

Mr. McQuarrie

When the disposal of surplus accommodation is considered, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the problems that would arise in rural areas, such as at Ladysbridge hospital in my constituency, where the accommodation is essential to attract staff to care for mental and psychiatric patients? Will sympathetic consideration be given to the disposal of accommodation, bearing in mind the need to ensure that adequate accommodation is provided for such staff?

Mr. Fowler

We want to ensure that health authorities have enough accommodation for student nurses, junior doctors and other trainees. That remains the policy. We want to see that accommodation improved. I think my hon. Friend would agree that property that is standing empty should be sold if there is no use for it. He might also agree that if the tenants occupying such property want the right to buy, they should be given that right. That is what we are achieving.