HC Deb 05 December 1978 vol 959 cc1198-200
2. Mr. Walter Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the operation of schemes by county councils for assisting pensioners and the disabled to pay for telephone rental.

The Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security (Mr. Alfred Morris)

Overall there has been progress by local authorities in helping disabled people with telephone rentals. The House is well aware of my concern over disparity of provision as between authorities, and I shall continue to do all I can to encourage further progress.

Mr. Johnson

Is my hon. Friend aware that for thousands of our senior citizens and the disabled the telephone is the only link with the outside world? This is a severe drain upon their financial resources. Therefore, will he issue a new directive to county councils asking them to be more helpful and understanding and to give assistance wherever possible?

Mr. Morris

I am very well aware of the importance of a telephone as a lifeline for frail elderly and disabled people. I emphasise that the total number of households in England provided with telephone rentals has risen from 47,000 for the year ended 31st March 1975 to nearly 74,000 for the year ended 31st March 1977. I am prepared to take up any case with the local authority where it is alleged that the requirements of the law are not being carried out. I shall have fully in mind all that has been said here this afternoon.

Mr. Wigley

Is the Minister aware that this problem is even worse in rural areas because of the number of disabled people who are away from telephone facilities and neighbours? If he intends to issue a further circular to local authorities will he draw to their attention the fact that it is possible to get assistance towards this and that there are Acts other than the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970?

Mr. Morris

The problems of disabled people can be compounded in rural areas. But there is much that right hon. and hon. Members can do to nudge things forward in their own localities. I saw recently a very important article by my hon. Frend the Member for Aberdare (Mr. Evans). I hope that it will be widely read, because its message was very important.

Dr. M. S. Miller

Is my hon. Friend aware that for the disabled and the elderly, who are often not in good health, the telephone is no longer a luxury but a necessity? It is the only way in which they can maintain contact with their families and friends. Will he go further than my hon. Friend the Member for Derby, South (Mr. Johnson) and liaise with the Telephone Communications Board and the unions involved? If he does so, I am sure that he will arrive at some compromise to enable those who need telephones to have telephones.

Mr. Morris

My hon. Friend's argument was very much the one that I advanced in the House in 1969 and 1970 in commending to Parliament clause 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Bill, as it then was. I shall consider the suggestion that has been made. I can give no further undertaking this afternoon. I emphasise that I shall do everything possible to nudge things further forward.

Mrs. Knight

Does the Minister agree that for the elderly and disabled who are living alone, quick communications in an emergency can easily make the difference between life and death? Bearing in mind the difficulty of the enormous costs of extending the telephone scheme, will he consider the electronic alarm system that is being introduced in Stockport? I understand that it is not only for those who live in warden homes but for some who live in their own homes. That scheme may help a great deal.

Mr. Morris

There are alternatives to the telephone that may be important in some instances. I emphasise—I think that even"Mr. Buzby"would agree with me—that the telephone is deeply important to those who are isolated by disablement. I shall keep in mind all the suggestions that have been made.