§ 11. Mr. David Huntasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he will publish the proposed White Paper on the elderly.
§ The Minister for Social Security (Mr. Stanley Orme)Work is in progress and will be completed as soon as possible.
§ Mr. HuntDoes the Minister accept that there is an urgent need to do more to help families to look after the elderly in the home? Does he recognise that there is strong feeling—particularly in my constituency—that it should receive high priority?
§ Mr. OrmeThis Government introduced the invalid care allowance, but I am aware of the point that the hon. Gentleman is making. In response to our document "A Happier Old Age" we have received almost 1,400 comments which will be drawn together and—we hope—published for further discussion.
§ Mr. GrocottDoes my right hon. Friend agree that the real problem in providing for the elderly is the lack of co-ordination between the various types of accommodation available? That problem has been made worse by the reorganisation of local government which has separated social services from housing services. Will my right hon. Friend undertake to support the moves being made by Dr. Hewinson and others in Tam-worth to provide a proper co-ordination of facilities for the elderly and a proper allocation to those facilities?
§ Mr. OrmeI welcome my hon. Friend's remarks. From the response to our document we are aware that co-ordination is a key factor.