PUBLICATION OF DISABLED FACILITIES GRANT PROCEDURE (Hansard, 8 July 1996)

§ Mr. Chris Davies
I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.

§ Madam Speaker
With this, it will be convenient to discuss the following amendments: No. 11, in clause 19, page 11, line 25, at beginning insert— '( ) The local housing authority shall ensure that an applicant shall be able to apply for a disabled facilities grant as soon as is reasonably practicable after making an initial enquiry either to the local housing authority or the social services authority.'. No. 12, in clause 24, page 14, line 20, at end insert— '(3A) Where the local housing authority is not itself a social services authority, the two shall agree jointly as to who will act as the principal point of contact for enquirers and applicants for a disabled facilities grant.'.

§ Mr. Davies
I hope that the House will regard this as a reasonable and constructive new clause. Applying for disabled facilities grants can be complicated. Some elements of the grant are mandatory, others discretionary. Although the housing authority would normally be responsible for ensuring the smooth processing of applications, inevitably, social service departments will be brought into the process. Because of the nature of local government, that may involve more than one local 23 authority at a time. In such circumstances, there is always a risk of disabled persons being caught up in a bureaucratic system that prevents them from gaining access to the grants that every hon. Member would wish them to have.
The Department of the Environment has undertaken its own evaluation of disabled facilities grants and has recognised the problem that I highlight in the new clause. In its reports, it has recommended that simple leaflets giving information should be published. I hope that that includes versions in Braille as well as in hard print, so that the needs of all disabled people will be met.
One of the problems is that, although, normally, I would wish local authorities to respond to that in the way in which good local government is expected to do, and to meet the needs of its citizens, that is not happening in each and every case. Frankly, some local authorities are not getting their act together when it comes to ensuring that departments are working closely and in co-ordination, and that disabled residents are getting the information that they need.
I ask the Minister, therefore, to consider the new clause positively and to take my point, which is that, in relation to disabled persons, it is not inappropriate for the House to lay down certain minimum standards.

§ Mr. Clappison
New clause 3 would require housing authorities to publish details of the procedures for applying for disabled facilities grants in the authority's area. That is not necessary, because authorities are already able to provide information to potential applicants.
The Department's grants literature, which authorities distribute to potential applicants, already sets out full details of grants, including information about how to apply and where to obtain help and advice before commencing works. That literature will be updated in readiness for the introduction of the new grant regime.
Authorities are also encouraged to operate preliminary inquiry systems to help people understand how their application will be processed by the housing authority and how grant, if any, will be assessed. Many authorities have set up their own advisory services to provide advice to potential applicants and answer queries. That helps to ensure that any uncertainty in applying for grant is removed and applicants therefore have a clear picture of the application process.
In addition, home improvement agencies also provide a valuable service in helping elderly and disabled applicants and those on low incomes through the difficult task of arranging for works and obtaining finance to meet their share of the cost of works.
I believe that those arrangements already ensure that applicants receive the right information on the procedures for making an application for disabled facilities grant, and I do not consider the new clause necessary.
I heard the arguments of the hon. Member for Littleborough and Saddleworth (Mr. Davies) about social services and housing authorities. I am aware of the reports to which he referred. As we made clear in Committee, we 24 are looking into the way in which social services' advice and input into the system is organised. It is appropriate that decisions remain with the housing authority and that it works together with the social services authorities in the way that I have described.

§ Mr. Davies
That is an inadequate reply. It does not even tackle the problems that the Department mentioned in its reports, which said that the system that the Minister described is not working, although he implied that it was. Would he at least meet me half way, by placing some guidance in the guidelines that the Department of the Environment produces when the Bill reaches the statute book?

§ Mr. Clappison
We made it clear in Committee that we would consider the problems that arose in respect of the social services organisation of, for example, the occupational therapy service and the part that it plays. We think it appropriate for the housing authority to be the main authority responsible for the grant system.

§ Mr. Davies
That answer is thoroughly inadequate and disappointing, but rather than taking the time of the House, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the motion.