§ 15. Mrs. Mannasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities in Scotland are operating a home help service.
Commander GalbraithAll but five of the 55 local health authorities in Scotland are operating a home help service, and a scheme from one of those five has been received for my right hon. Friend's approval today.
§ Mrs. MannWhile that answer is very satisfactory, may I ask the hon. and gallant Gentleman if he would not agree that some of the counties are not operating the service in a realistic fashion; in other words, they have home helps, but nobody who is in need of a home help can really find out where to get one? As the county areas are so scattered, is he not aware that many elderly people who are in need of this service just do not know where to find it, and would he 1093 give some consideration to publicising the service?
Commander GalbraithI shall be very I think the hon. Lady has shown the difficulty owing to the scattered nature of the counties. The attention of all health authorities is repeatedly being drawn to this important matter.
§ Mr. Patrick MaitlandWill my hon. and gallant Friend look into the method of assessment whereby persons are charged for these home helps, and, in particular, would he consider a case of which I should like to send him particulars, concerning a miner who was charged very highly?
§ Mr. RossCan the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether there is any indication that local authorities, while continuing to operate the service, are restricting that service at the present time?