HC Deb 09 February 1970 vol 795 cc900-1
30. Mr. Silvester

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what increase in the number of home helps there has been in the last two years.

Dr. John Dunwoody

In the two years up to 30th September, 1968, the number of home helps employed by local health authorities in England increased by 1,515 in terms of whole time equivalents, or by about 5½ per cent.

Mr. Silvester

In view of the fact that this service is particularly important in enabling local authorities to deal with people in their homes rather than in institutions, what plans has the hon. Gentleman for furthering and encouraging this service, which is still very short of staff?

Dr. Dunwoody

I agree that this is a very important service for people in their homes and particularly for old folk. I do not think that we should be dissatisfied with the progress which is being made. I look forward to similar progress in future years. Over the last five years, since 1964, the number of elderly people receiving the service has grown by 25 per cent.

Mr. Frank Allaun

Is my hon. Friend aware that many councils, particularly those Conservative-controlled, far from increasing the numbers are drastically cutting down—by 50 per cent. in Salford —leaving old and crippled people with no one to light the fire for them? Can he intervene in such matters and publicise them and do something about it?

Dr. Dunwoody

I should regret any local authority reducing a service which hon. Members on both sides have this afternoon described as important and valuable. I look forward to local authorities continuing to develop their services in the way that they have over the last four or five years.

Mr. Maurice Macmillan

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his indication of the increase, contrary to what the hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Frank Allaun) said. Have the provisions of the Health Services and Public Health Bill shown any effect on these figures? How much derives from before and how much from after the passage of that Bill?

Dr. Dunwoody

In talking about the increase, I was talking about national figures. This does not mean that every local authority has done an equally good job. I could not answer the second part of that question without notice.