§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he is satisfied that all local housing authorities are implementing the provisions of Section 3 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what proportion of new houses in the proposals submitted by local authorities since 29th August 1970 make special provision for the needs of disabled persons and whether he is satisfied that the numbers adequately reflect the need.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellI have no reason for concluding that local authorities are not carrying out their duty to have regard to the special needs of chronically sick or disabled persons in considering the housing conditions in their district. Although proposals for new houses specially designed to meet the needs of disabled persons have numbered only 125—a very small proportion of all proposals for new housing by local authorities—since August 1970 I have in addition been informed of the provision of some 1,750 dwellings suitable for occupation by disabled persons by the conversion of existing houses. I have asked local authorities to provide 305W me with fuller information about their plans for providing for the disabled, and I am consulting the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee on this important subject.