§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action has so far been taken by local housing authorities under the provisions of Section 3 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1970; what further consultation his Department will be having with the local authorities about these provisions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChannonBetween 29th August, 1970, the date on which Section 3 came into force, and 31st December, 1971, 140 housing authorities in England notified the Department of proposals for 493 dwellings for the disabled. The Department and the Department of Health and Social Security are co-operating in a study to establish the extent to which the housing needs of the disabled can best be met by adaptation by new houses built to Parker Morris standards or by houses which have been specially designed. As an interim measure it is my right hon. Friend's intention to issue a circular to housing authorities on what they can be doing to assist the disabled while this study is being carried out.