§ Mr. Stallardasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will seek powers to give further assistance to local authorities in the London area to increase the amounts of cash payments they can make to the elderly in need.
§ Mr. DeanThe form and extent of financial assistance to local authorities is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. Local authorities have no substantive powers to make cash payments to the elderly. But, as I explained to the hon. Member for Loughborough (Mr. Cronin) on 14th November last, the possibility of legislation enabling them to make such payments will be considered at a suitable opportunity.—[Vol. 846, c.51.]