§ Lord Balnielasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what proportion of the houses and flats built by each of the new town development corporations in each of the past five years has been specially designed for elderly people; and whether he is satisfied that the proportion is high enough to achieve the objective of establishing communities with a balanced age structure.
§ Mr. CorfieldRelatively few houses and flats are specially designed for old people. Ordinary one-room and one-bedroom dwellings are, in general what they want. The proportion of these built by development corporations in England and Wales during each of the past five years is as follows:
New Town Development Corporation 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 % % % % % Aycliffe 4.3 nil 6.7 8.4 10.3 Basildon 1.7 12.8 5.5 18.2 18.7 Bracknell 4.5 9.2 1.3 22.9 28.8 Corby 6.4 5.4 6.9 0.8 1.7 Crawley 10.9 nil 20.3 0.8 5.7 Cwmbran 7.2 14.5 6.2 12.3 23.6 Harlow 5.6 11.3 14.3 21.2 3.8 Hatfield 21.2 18 nil nil 50.3 Hemel Hempstead 8.8 12.7 5.7 28.2 15.3 Peterlee nil 45.5 nil 42.1 35.1 Stevenage 2 10.2 0.3 23.7 2.2 Welwyn Garden City 3.8 nil 6.7 8.5 13.8 These small dwellings are also, of course, suitable for young people—single professional people or childless couples—and many of these built by the corporations are occupied at present by such people; though some are occupied by elderly people and will be so occupied as priorities shift. In addition, some local authorities in new town areas are providing small dwellings to meet the needs of old people.
In most new towns more accommodation for old people will be needed, and my right hon. Friend has asked all corporations to ensure that provision is made on an adequate scale.