§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether additional finance will be made available to local authorities to meet extra costs associated with the transfer of a greater proportion of health responsibility to the community in general in line with proposals contained in the consultative document "Care in the Community"; how many extra staff he estimates local authorities will require, particularly in social service departments; and if he will ensure that in providing any additional finances for local authority community care there will be no corresponding reduction in National Health Service provision.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe consultative document makes it clear that the suggestions for transferring patients and resources from hospital to the personal social services must be implemented within planned resources. Detailed arrangements, including staffing, would be determined locally in consultation with staff interests, taking account of local circumstances and opportunities.