4. Mr. J. Enoch Powellasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what advice he has given to the health and social services boards regarding economies in the cost of the home help service.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. Chris Patten)No advice has been given to the health and social services boards specifically on economies in the cost of the home help service.
Mr. PowellGiven that it is desirable that all expenditure should be carefully scrutinised, is the Minister aware of disquieting information which reaches hon. Members, particularly in the area of some boards, that a kind of rule of thumb is being applied to cut down expenditure on the home help service without regard to particular circumstances? Will he concern himself to look into the background of that impression?
§ Mr. PattenI shall certainly look into the background. A joint review group of the Department and the area boards is looking at the home help service. As the right hon. Gentleman will doubtless know, we are spending 91 per cent. more on the home help service than three years ago. We are spending in all £16 million on the home help service, but I recognise that despite that increase there is still concern, and we need to look into the matter.
§ Mr. SoleyDoes the Minister appreciate that the Opposition are strongly opposed to any cuts in the home help service, which is crucial within the Health Service, and nor do we look kindly on any other attempt to cut the Health Service in the ways that it has been cut in some areas in Northern Ireland?
§ Mr. PattenThe home help service has been increasing during the past few years. It is not without relevance that 19.4 per thousand of the population over 65 in Northern Ireland are provided with the service, whereas in England the figure is 6.5 per thousand. There are still difficulties, but there is increased spending on the Health Service in Northern Ireland, not cuts as the hon. Gentleman suggested.