§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will establish a commission to examine the plight of elderly and disabled people who have top medical priority status and yet who cannot be immediately rehoused.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 8 February 1990]: Individual authorities are required by 76W statute to consider the housing needs of their areas and to have regard to the special needs of chronically sick or disabled persons. My right hon. and learned Friend does not believe that a commission would assist authorities in this duty. Individual authorities are themselves best placed to determine particular needs and to identify solutions for meeting those needs either in council housing or other housing.
§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of people on council waiting lists who have top medical priority status.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 8 February 1990]: The information requested is not held centrally.
§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to ensure that councils have the resources to rehouse elderly and disabled residents with top medical priority status in suitable housing.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 8 February 1990]: Housing capital allocations to local authorities take account of their overall housing needs as set out in their housing plans and capital programmes. Within the allocations made it is the responsibility of local authorities to decide how the resources should be used in the light of local priorities.