§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the Edward VII convalescent home at Osborne will accept further patients after 31 October. [129233]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthNo. The King Edward VII convalescent home is due to close on 31 October 2000.
§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps are taken to publicise the widening of eligibility for admission to Edward VII convalescent home at Osborne to include non-commissioned ranks of the armed services under the Osborne Estate Order 1998. [129234]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthNo steps are currently being taken to publicise the widening of eligibility for admission because the convalescent home is due to close on 31 October 2000. Following the granting of the Osborne Estate Order 1998, the Civil Service Benevolent Fund, who have been managing the convalescent home on behalf of the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, advertised the widening of eligibility to use the facilities at the home in a variety of publications. Additionally, they brought it to the attention of the Chief Welfare Officers of the armed forces and a number of Government Departments.
§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many of the convalescents at Edward VII convalescent home at Osborne were from(a) commissioned and (b) other ranks of the armed services in (i) 1998 and (ii) 1999. [129235]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthThe information for the years requested is as follows:
1998 1999 Commissioned Officers 82 76 Other Ranks 0 15