HC Deb 17 December 1974 vol 883 cc433-4W
Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the difficulties faced by urban communities such as Salford in making provision for the elderly and disabled, he will consider making special financial provision to overcome these difficulties; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Kaufman

Additional subsidisable allowances above the basic yardstick are available to all local authorities which build for elderly or disabled people. This kind of provision should be a normal part of a local authority's housing programme, and if my hon. Friend knows of any special difficulties to which he would like to draw my attention, perhaps he will write to me.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many sheltered housing units there are per 1,000 population aged 65 years and over in the area of the West Lancashire District Council; and how this compares with the regional average and the national average, respectively.

Mr. Kaufman

Statistics on the numbers of existing dwellings specially designed for old people are not at present available. In tenders accepted by local authorities during 1969 to 1973 the number of these units which will have the services of a warden is equivalent to 5.4 per 1,000 of the population aged 65 years or more in Great Britain and 4.3 in the North-West Region. My hon. Friend will be able to find information about the West Lancashire district from the council.