asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take to co-ordinate the activities of all agencies, voluntary and statutory, which are at present dealing with the problems of the aged in Scotland.

Hospital boards and local authorities have been urged to ensure the fullest collaboration with voluntary agencies so that in each area old people may receive the full benefit of available services. I shall continue to stress the need for this.

Will the right hon. Gentleman do nothing more than this? The matter has been pointed out as not only important but very urgent. Should he not be doing something more than he told us he was doing two years ago?

A series of circulars have been sent out, as the hon. Gentleman knows. I am constantly in touch with this very urgent matter and will do what I can to speed it on.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take to assist local authorities in Scotland to meet the large need for laundry services for the aged that has been shown to exist.

Local health authorities have power to provide facilities for laundry services as part of their arrangements for domestic help or as part of their services for the prevention of illness, care and after care, both of which attract grant under the National Health Service (Scotland) Act, 1947.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he will support local authorities in this work? Will he, in particular, support Edinburgh in the endeavours it is making; and may we be assured that the grants will be forthcoming in spite of the present Treasury policy?

I have just approved a pilot scheme, submitted by the Corporation of Edinburgh, for providing a laundry service for old people, which, I understand, will be closely linked with the home-help service.