§ Mr. David HowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy regarding the payment of grants to cover the cost of installing alarm systems in local authority sheltered accommodation and schemes designed for elderly people.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe provision of alarm systems is a matter for local authorities and landlords. We have no plans to make grants from central funds for this purpose.
Local housing authorities have a wide range of powers under which they can provide alarm systems not only in their own housing stock but also in the community as a whole, whether or not the housing is specially designed for elderly people. Local social service authorities also have powers to supply and meet the costs of warning devices including alarms in sheltered housing and other accommodation in the public, voluntary and private sectors. It is for housing and social services authorities to decide what resources should be devoted to alarm systems from the total resources available to them.