§ 2. Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice he gives to local authorities who consult him 1143 about the desirability of increased charges to old people for local welfare services in order to save fractions of a new penny on their rates.
§ Sir K. JosephI have not been asked for any advice on this point, which is a matter for the local authority to determine.
§ Mr. DeakinsDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that it should be part of his responsibility to discourage local authorities, like mine in Waltham Forest, from making mean attacks on the living standards of old-age pensioners by, for instance, raising the charges for meals-on-wheels?
§ Sir K. JosephThe charges made by local authorities for services of this sort are entirely within their discretion within the rules laid down. I am aware of a fractional difference caused by decimal conversion by the local authority concerned—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"]—a matter of 1p a week, a fractional addition, which is entirely a matter for the local authority.