§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, why female nurses at Greaves Hall Hospital, Banks, are forced to retire at the age of 60 years; and if this is a policy of his Department.
§ Mr. DeakinsI understand that it is the policy of the Sefton Area Health Authority that female staff, including nurses at Greaves Hall Hospital, should retire at the age of 60, although individuals may be retained in special circumstances. The policy of my Department is that retirement is a matter for individual employing authorities, but I understand that the General Whitley Council hopes to negotiate an agreement on this subject.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if the action of the Sefton Area Health Authority in evicting retired Greaves Hall Hospital employees from their homes is in accordance with the policy of his Department;
(2) if he will intervene with the Sefton Area Health Authority to prevent it evicting its compulsorily retired employees at Greaves Hall Hospital from their homes.
§ Mr. DeakinsI understand that Sefton Area Health Authority was granted possession orders on 24th February 1977 in respect of three houses occupied by former members of their staff who had left their service on 31st January, 19th March and 30th September 1976, respectively.
The guidance given by my Department is that where hardship is likely to be caused by eviction, it is advisable for the 240W health authority concerned to consult the local housing authority about the possibility of providing alternative accommodation. Sefton Area Health Authority followed this guidance by entering into consultation with the relevant local housing authorities before taking legal action. These discussions are continuing, and it is not and never has been the intention of the health authority to take possession of these houses until alternative accommodation has been found for all the tenants concerned. It will not, therefore, be necessary for me to intervene in this matter.