§ Mr. Mikardoasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the response of the London Docklands development corporation to the Age Concern report called "Hope and Despair: Elderly People in London's Docklands" commissioned by the corporation; and what steps it is taking to implement the report's recommendations.
§ Sir George YoungLDDC endeavours, wherever possible, to assist the statutory bodies in their work to support and care for the elderly in docklands. An umbrella organisation of elderly persons' groups in Tower Hamlets has been established. Various initiatives of the corporation, particularly in the social and environmental field, directly benefit the elderly — for instance, the building of new or improved community centres. One third of the community groups being funded by LDDC are directly involved with the care of the elderly. The corporation is contributing £48,500 to an experimental scheme run by the Care Trust in association with the London borough of Tower Hamlets and the Manpower Services Commission, providing a 24-hour emergency alarm system for, initiially, 200 elderly people in the borough.