§ Mr. Randallasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many private old people's homes there are in the United Kingdom which accommodate people financed by his Department; what is the average cost per person; and whether he is getting value for money in using such homes.
§ Mr. NewtonThe most recent provisional figures for Great Britain indicate that at December 1983 there were 23,000 supplementary pensioners in private and voluntary residential care and nursing homes who were claiming supplementary benefit as boarders to help them meet the home's charge. The average supplementary benefit payment was £75.25. Information on the number of homes concerned is not available.
I also refer the hon. Member to proposals published for consultation by my right hon. Friend today designed to improve the arrangements under which such payments are made.