HC Deb 13 February 1967 vol 741 c90
20. Mr. Newens

asked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to ensure the recruitment and training of home helps and the extension of local authority responsibility for the care of the young chronic sick at home.

Mr. Snow

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 6th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Alfred Morris).—[Vol. 740, c. 1106–8.]

Mr. Newens

Is my hon. Friend aware that the breadwinner in a family with a chronic sick person often faces the agonising choice of either giving up work altogether and becoming financially dependent on the State or of consigning a close relative permanently to hospital? Since this is bad not only for the individuals concerned but for the community as a whole, should not something more comprehensive be done about this problem?

Mr. Snow

The question of allowances is not really one for my right hon. Friend. However, as I said last week in answer to a somewhat similar Question, there is a survey of the hospitalised young chronic sick now being prepared; and I assure my hon. Friend that the long-term issues are receiving my Department's urgent consideration.

Miss Pike

Is it not a fact that, far from there being an extension of this service, there is grave danger of cuts being made in it because of grants to local authorities being cut?

Mr. Snow

I should not have thought that there was justification for that observation.