HC Deb 23 March 1976 vol 908 cc95-6W
36. Mr. Townsend

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when she last met the representatives of the Home Helps Association.

Mrs. Castle

I have not met representatives from the Institute of Home Help Organisers or the National Council of Home Help Services.

I provisionally accepted an invitation to address a study course for home helps, which the National Council had hoped to hold in April, 1976, but the course has been deferred. My hon. Friend the Minister for the Disabled addressed the 1975 weekend school of the Institute of Home Help Organisations for which the theme was the care of the handicapped in their own homes.

In addition, my officials have attended and addressed conferences run by the organisations and have met representatives of the Department.

I have a great admiration for the home help service which I see as an essential part of domiciliary care provision, particularly in these days of scarce resources and restricted capital expenditure.