§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received regarding the withdrawal of funds by certain social work authorities for the warden service in sheltered housing for the elderly provided by housing associations; which authorities have withdrawn such funding; what recommendations have been made to him by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities about such funding; what response he has made to the representatives; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AncramThe Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, Age Concern Scotland and several hon. Members whose constituents are affected have raised this matter with me. I have received no recommendations from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.
The authorities which I understand to have decided to withdraw support are the regional councils for Borders, Lothian and Central regions and the Western Isles islands council; I also understand that Central regional council has decided to withdraw support from new schemes only. These decisions, which are matters for the councils themselves, have apparently been reached on the basis that housing benefit payable to many tenants in sheltered housing schemes will meet service charges levied on account of wardens' costs, and in terms of the authorities' own assessment of priority within the resources available to them.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance has been sought by individual local authorities or the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities regarding the responsibility for the cost of warden services in local authority sheltered housing.
§ Mr. AncramNone.