§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services under what statute local authorities are obliged to supply telephones for the elderly and handicapped.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisSection 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 places a duty on local authorities to provide, or to give assistance in obtaining, a telephone for a handicapped person of any age who comes within the scope of Section 29 of the National Assistance Act 1948 where the authority is satisfied that this is necessary in order to meet the needs of a person ordinarily resident in its area. Section 45 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 empowers, but does not lay a duty on, an authority to provide a similar service for elderly people not within the scope of Section 29.