§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy towards withdrawal of services from a disabled person by a local authority where there has been no reduction of need.
§ Mr. PrenticeServices for disabled people are provided by local authorities under a number of different statutory provisions. In general, it must be for each local authority to assess priorities in the light of their statutory functions and the resources available for carrying them out and to determine the level of services accordingly.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy towards withdrawal of services from a disabled person by an area health authority where there has been no reduction of need.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe level of services provided by area health authorities on my right hon. Friend's behalf is determined both by the assessed needs in the area and by the resources available. I recognise that resources constraints and changing local priorities in needs present authorities with different decisions which can lead to some services being reduced.