§ Mr. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take steps to introduce grants to enable parents to visit children in hospital.
§ Sir K. JosephI assume the hon. Member has in mind assistance with the expense of travelling to and from hospital. Arrangements already exist for giving help in cases of hardship and I do not think I would be justified in extending them. I shall shortly be sending a circular to hospital authorities and to a number of voluntary organisations to encourage a greater use of voluntary help in providing transport for visitors to patients in hospital.