§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) when he next plans to meet the chairman or chief executive of Scottish Homes to review its policy of exclusion against the funding of new-build special needs and sheltered housing in peripheral housing estates where no such provision exists; if he will commission a study into the effects of elderly and disabled people having to move away from their own communities to obtain suitable accommodation; and if he will make a statement; [39172]
(2) when he next plans to meet the chairman or chief executive of Scottish Homes to discuss the need for sheltered and special needs housing in large peripheral 304W housing estates with particular reference to Foxbar, Paisley; and if he will make a statement; [39178]
(3) when he next plans to meet the chairman or chief executive of Scottish Homes to discuss its policy on sheltered housing; and if he will make a statement. [39177]
§ Mr. Raymond S. RobertsonMy right hon. Friend and I meet the chairman and chief executive of Scottish Homes regularly and I shall be meeting the board again early in the next year.
As Scottish Homes made clear in its May 1995 policy statement "Removing the Barriers—Housing for Older People", its policy is to focus resources primarily on the provision of accommodation capable of being adapted for a range of changing needs. This policy was significantly influenced by the many responses received to Scottish Homes' May 1993 consultation paper, "Housing for the Elderly in the 1990s". The decision at a local level on what priority to give to the provision of special needs and sheltered housing is made in the light of local needs and demand, working with community care strategic planners such as local housing and social work authorities, and health boards, and taking account of the views of elderly people themselves on whether they wish to remain within their communities.