§ Mr. Dormandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to encourage an increase in the number of wardens for elderly persons living in their own houses.
§ Sir K. JosephI have on a number of occasions suggested to local authorities that an extension of warden schemes might play a useful part in the development of services for elderly people. In my Department's Circular 19/71 my specific approval was given to enable local authorities to use the powers of Section 45 of the Health Services and Public Health Act, 1968, to provide warden services for occupiers of private housing and to contribute to the cost of employing wardens on welfare functions in special housing schemes of local authorities and housing associations. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the circular.