Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons

HC Deb 02 May 1980 vol 983 cc719-20W

Mr. Body

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the gross cost to public funds of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 in its first 10 years; what estimate he has made of the net cost of the Act allowing for the savings that have accrued from the new emphasis on community care as compared with hospital and other institutional care; and what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to ensure the further implementation of the Act.

Mr. Prentice

Costs arising from particular enactments are not recorded separately and it would not be possible to provide such estimates. Implementation of the main provisions of the Act is the responsibility of individual local authorities which must naturally have regard to the totality of needs falling to be met in their areas and adjust their priorities accordingly. I have already made clear that I expect priority to be given to the needs of the seriously disabled, even at a time of great financial stringency.