HC Deb 06 March 1973 vol 852 cc216-7
10. Mr. David Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in his actions designed to promote rate restraint, he will bear in mind the need to preserve the work of local authority social services departments.

Mr. Alison

In considering the rate of growth of local authority expenditure, my right hon. Friends and I will naturally bear in mind the requirements of the personal social services.

Mr. Clark

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that many people are worried that one result of Government pressure on local authorities could be a cutback in home help and domiciliary services? Will he give the House a guarantee that he is prepared to monitor the activities of local authorities to ensure that people do not suffer from the lack of domiciliary home help and other services?

Mr. Alison

I see no prospect of any such cutback as the hon. Gentleman postulates. In fact the White Paper on Public Expenditure lays down a substantial rate of increase in the public resources allocated to personal social services at local level between now and 1976.

Mr. Winterton

Another sphere of local authority responsibility in social service departments is the provision of Part III accommodation. Is my hon. Friend aware that in many areas this accommodation is in extremely short supply, and what action is he prepared to take to remedy this serious shortcoming?

Mr. Alison

Substantial steps are being taken. My hon. Friend will be interested to know that loan sanction approvals for homes for the elderly increased by 50 per cent. between the last year of Labour Government and last year.

Mr. John Silkin

In line with the circular sent to local authorities about the appointment of new local government social services staff, has the Secretary of State received any representations from the directors of social services since it would appear to be the almost universal impression that there is an intense shortage of trained social service workers and a growing work load?

Mr. Alison

This matter goes rather wider than the original Question. My right hon. Friend has said that he recognises the existing shortage of trained social workers. We are doing everything possible to accelerate the process. I will write to the right hon. Gentleman about representations.