§ Amendments made: No. 12, in page 3, line 8, after `Act,' insert
§ `and
§ (b) the person is of a description which is specified for the purposes of this subsection by regulations,'.
§ No. 17, in page 3, line 8, leave out 'pay' and insert `make'.
§ No. 18, in page 3, line 9, leave out from 'him' to second `of' and insert in respect'.
§ No. 19, in page 3, line 10, at end insert
§ `, a payment of such amount as, subject to subsection (2) below, they think fit.'.
§ No. 20, in page 3, leave out lines 11 to 15 and insert—'(2) If—
- (a) an authority pay under subsection (1) above at a rate below their estimate of the reasonable cost of securing the provision of the service concerned, and
- (b) the person to whom the payment is made satisfies the authority that his means are insufficient for it to be reasonably practicable for him to make up the difference,
- the authority shall so adjust the payment to him under that subsection as to avoid there being a greater difference than that which appears to them to be reasonably practicable for him to make up.'.—[Mr. Bowis.]
§ Order for Third Reading read.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, That the Bill be now read the Third time.—[Mr. Bowis.]
7.47 pm§ Mr. Tom ClarkeThis is one occasion when I am happy to agree with the Minister. I am sure that we are quite relieved to have reached this stage; despite our robust debates, we are anxious to see the Bill move to another place and be enacted. Many people outside are looking forward to that opportunity as well. I hope that, although only a minority of councils are involved at the moment in indirect payments, many other councils will see the opportunities in the Bill. It is very much in their interest and in the interest of community care generally.
One of the most important points made this afternoon was that by the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood). Although I fully understood why the Minister did not feel free to give an immediate response, there may be a case for giving a bit more study to pilot schemes.
Some problems remain, such as the problems of the independent living fund and family carers. My hon. Friend the Member for Darlington did a fine job in Committee and on the Floor of the House in dealing with the important issues of residential care, domiciliary care and other matters. Likewise, my hon. Friend the Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe) did a great service to us all this afternoon.
I congratulate the Minister on the competent way in which he has handled the Bill. He has given us many good ideas for what we intend to do in 12 months' time. I look forward to the assistance, research, guidance and wisdom that both sides of the House have received from disability organisations, from elderly people, from organisations for elderly people and, of course, from local authorities. In that spirit, I look forward to seeing the Bill enacted. I know that, despite its limitations, it improves the prospects of better delivery of care in the community.
§ Mr. BowisI simply want to respond to the gracious comments with which the hon. Member for Monklands, West has concluded for the Opposition. I appreciate them. We have had some good discussions and debates not only in the House but in Committee. I thank all hon. Members who served on the Committee. I am also grateful to members of the Technical Advisory group, who have contributed to our discussions and helped to produce a good Bill. The Bill represents an idea whose time has come. We are moving forward with a measure that will give independence, dignity and choice to disabled people and enable real advancement. The House can be proud of what it has achieved today.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Bill accordingly read the Third time, and passed, with amendments.