HL Deb 17 January 1995 vol 560 cc35-6WA
Lord Swinfen

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they can confirm the findings of the housing research report entitled Living Independently published by the Department of the Environment on 16th December 1994 which suggests that there is a shortfall of 12,988 wheelchair units in England as outlined in table 2.22 page 55 of the report;

Whether they can confirm the findings of the housing research report entitled Housing for People with Disabilities published by the Housing Corporation in October 1991 which suggests that there was a shortfall of 330,000 wheelchair units in England at that time as outlined on page 21 of the report; and

What is the cause of the discrepancy between the estimated shortfall in wheelchair units outlined in the report entitled Housing for People with Disabilities published by the Housing Corporation in October 1991 at 330,000 and the estimated shortfall of 12,988 as outlined in the report entitled Living Independently published by the Department of the Environment on 16 December 1994.

The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (Viscount Ullswater)

Her Majesty's Government are aware of the different figures in these two research reports for shortfalls in provision of wheelchair accommodation in England.

The data is not comparable because:

  1. a. the source of the estimate in Housing for People with Disabilities was a general survey of disability which did not specifically examine housing needs and provision. The Living Independently estimate was based on a survey of disabled adults which was intended to produce estimates of housing need;
  2. b. the Housing for People with Disabilities estimate covered all tenures whereas the Living Independently estimate covers only the shortfall in accommodation provided by local authorities and housing associations;
  3. c. the Housing for People with Disabilities estimate was a shortfall of wheelchair standard dwellings, whether purpose-built or not. The Living Independently estimate relates to purpose-built wheelchair dwellings only; and,
  4. d. the Living Independently estimate contains an element to take account of the housing aspirations of disabled people. The study showed that 70 per cent. of disabled people households wish to remain in their existing homes. The Housing for People with Disabilities estimate took no account of housing aspirations.