§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will specify any circumstances in which the Government proposals in clause 12 of the Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudications Bill will (a) require a local authority to increase its charges to disabled people for services under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 and similar legislation or (b) require a local authority to reduce such charges; if local authorities which impose flat rate charges irrespective of a person's ability to pay will be able to continue to do so; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RossiClause 12 of the Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudications Bill requires local authorities to have regard to the means of a person who avails himself of a service provided under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970, and other specified legislation, when determining what charges—if any—that person should pay for the service. Whether to make any charge at all for a service and, if one is made, its reasonable maximum and minimum levels, will be for the local authority to determine, and it is not therefore possible to specify circumstances in which any existing charge will be increased or decreased.