§ 17. Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that all local authorities are making use of their powers under Section 29 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, to provide services for people who are substantially and permanently physically handicapped; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CrossmanAll authorities in England and Wales are providing these services, but their scope varies according to local circumstances and resources, especially resources of trained social workers.
§ Mr. AshleyIs my right hon. Friend aware that he has not answered the Question? The question asks
if he is satisfied that all local authorities are making use of their powers … to provide servicesfor handicapped people. I want to know whether he is satisfied. I am not. If he is not satisfied, what does he propose to do about it?
§ Mr. CrossmanI suppose I could reply to my hon. Friend that I, like he, should never be satisfied until perfection is reached. It is important for my hon. Friend as well as me to remember that Britain has a local democracy and we leave local authorities with freedom to choose their own priorities. They choose them very differently.