§ 15. Mr. Raceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has received a copy of the report from Age Concern "Services for Old Age: A Growing Crisis in London"; and whether he will make a statement on the response which Her Majesty's Government will make to the report.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe Department received a copy earlier this month. I see it as a useful contribution to the continuing debate about how limited resources can best be allocated.
§ Mr. RaceIs the Minister aware that his Government's policy of reducing the numbers of acute beds in London's health service, coupled with the actions of the Secretary of State for the Environment in cutting the rate support grant, is placing services for old people in London under serious attack? Will he make strong representations—after reading that report carefully—to the Secretary of State for the Environment, calling for no further cuts in the rate support grant in London with regard to old people?
§ Mr. FinsbergThe hon. Gentleman will know that one of the things that we are trying to do is to get patients, including geriatrics, out of hospitals when possible and into the community. In personal social services, as my right hon. Friend has said, there have not been the cuts to which the hon. Gentleman refers.