§ Lord Gainfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have any plans to improve the facilities at Ilford Park Polish Home.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security (Lord Skelmersdale)Ilford Park Polish Home, located near Newton Abbot, Devon, is the last remaining resettlement camp operated by the Department of Social Security under the Polish Resettlement Act 1947. Polish people who satisfy the criteria laid down in the Act can be considered for admission. The current residents occupy accommodation which mostly predates the opening of the original camp in 1948. The buildings are situated in the central part of a 42-acre site owned by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.
In view of the declining resident population and the age of the accommodation the department has for some time now been considering the future of the home. The average age of the residents is increasing and some of them are becoming frail. The present home has more the characteristics of a residential care home for elderly people rather than its original functon as a resetttlement camp. The present accommodation, age apart, is unsuitable and does not meet the standards required today for residential care homes.
We have therefore concluded that Ilford Park Polish Home should be rebuilt at its present site. The aim is to provide accommodation and facilities that meet the standards required of registered residential care homes and nursing homes. On provisional plans the work will be complete by 1992. There will be full consultation with residents and staff as the details of the scheme are worked out.