§ Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what research the recommendation in the consultative document that there should be an increase in places in young chronic sick units and residential accommodation for the physically handicapped was based; what consultation he has had with housing authorities and housing associations about more appropriate forms of non-institutional care; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisThe recommendation is based on conclusions drawn by my Department on the probable need for residential or hospital places over the next few years. It derives from contacts with health and local authorities, the returns made under Sections 17 and 18 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Person Act 1970, the known need for additional short-term care to provide temporary relief for families and other factors, including the uneven spread of provision over the country. Only a small 331W proportion of the most severely disabled people will require care in a sheltered environment and this is reflected in the very small increase in such accommodation proposed.
With my right hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Construction, I am aware of the need to encourage housing authorities and housing associations to build a greater proportion of dwellings specifically designed for disabled people. In this connection, our two Departments have been discussing jointly with various local authorities a special project designed to evaluate the type of provision and the level of health and social service support needed to enable severely disabled people, who would otherwise have to live in institutions, to stay in their own homes in the community.
The views of the All-Party Group on Disablement, of which the hon. Member is Secretary, are most welcome on this issue and on all matters affecting disabled people in the consultative document.