HC Deb 10 January 1978 vol 941 cc1424-6
8. Mr. Joseph Dean

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the per capita expenditure on social services of the six largest metropolitan districts.

Mr. Ennals

The estimated per capita expenditure for 1977–78, at November 1976 prices, of the six metropolitan districts with the largest population—in descending order—is:

£
Birmingham 23.8
Leeds 19.3
Sheffield 25.1
Liverpool 30.7
Manchester 37.8
Bradford 26.1

Mr. Dean

Do not those figures indicate that a wide variety and standard of treatment is being provided by these authorities? As a large part of the total amount is spent under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, will my right hon. Friend consider introducing legislation to make the services that are optional under that Act mandatory on local authorities which are falling down in this respect?

Mr. Ennals

There are difficulties in making comparisons purely on the basis of the amount per head, because this overlooks actual need. It is true that, in some cases, assessments are made by different authorities which lead to a different total. Some come under housing totals instead of under social service totals. It is not true that a very high proportion is spent under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act. It is an important part of the totals but by no means the largest part.

It would be difficult at this stage in public expenditure control to make these services mandatory. But we are always anxious that the terms of the Act should be fulfilled, and we are considering whether there might be some way of introducing, in certain essential fields, minimum standards that ought to be observed by all local authorities.

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

. Order. I hope that no one will complain today about the small number of Questions that have been dealt with, because the length of the answers and the length of the supplementary questions has simply cut out a lot of other hon. Members who could have been called.

Mr. Adley

Is the Secretary of State aware that in some parts of the country where there is a particularly high preponderance of elderly people a burden is placed on the county councils concerned? Has he any plans to consider ways of reallocating resources so that those areas do not find themselves disadvantaged because of the age of the population?

Mr. Ennals

This is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment.