§ 7. Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will indicate the number and total value of schemes that have now been approved under the good old age initiative.
§ Mr. GristNine projects with a total estimated value of just under £3.5 million have now been approved under the elderly initiative grant scheme.
§ Mr. JonesAs £1 million was promised to Wales under the auspices of this scheme, will the Under-Secretary of State explain why there has been such a small take-up in Wales? Will he consider making the balance available to Welsh local authorities on a per capita basis, in accordance with the number of elderly people in each local authority?
§ Mr. GristI think that I understand the hon. Gentleman's problem in his island constituency. This scheme began in January 1987. Its purpose was to create original schemes to help the elderly that could be demonstrated to other parts of the Principality. We were looking for originality of schemes. Originality has been the problem with regard to take-up. Nine schemes have been approved so far. We hope that many more schemes will be approved, and we have been urging local authorities to look into the matter.