§ Mr. Bodyasked the Minister of Health what steps have so far been taken to dispose of the Langdon Hills Hospital, near Billericay; and what representations have been made to him to have it used as an old people's home.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithIn accordance with usual practice, Langdon Hills Hospital has been offered first to other Government Departments and then to the West Ham County Borough Council, which owned the property before July, 1948. If the County Borough Council does not wish to purchase the property, it will be offered for sale to the Essex County Council, which has expressed interest in using it for accommodation under Part III of the National Assistance Act, 1948.
I have had representations from the Essex Area Council of the National Federation of Old-Age Pensions Associations in the sense mentioned by the hon. Member.