HC Deb 28 June 1979 vol 969 cc321-2W
Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if a local authority is entitled to refuse to assist a disabled person with the provision of a telephone or the rental payments on the grounds that he is receiving the attendance allowance; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Chalker

Where a local authority is satisfied that in order to meet the needs of a disabled person normally living in its area it is necessary for it to make arrangements for assistanace with the installation of a telephone or with the rental, it has a duty under section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 to make such arrangments. The receipt of attendance allowance does not affect that duty, once need is determined, although a local authority may have regard to the beneficiary's means when deciding whether to make a charge for services provided.