§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made to the effect of the increase in mortgage rates on the manning and financing of residential homes; and if he will make a statement;
(2) whether his Department has any evidence as to whether the loss of nurses' posts in reġistered residential homes is related to the financial difficulties imposed on the management of such homes as a result of recent increases in mortgage repayments.
§ Mr. FreemanWe do not have information available which would enable us to assess the effects on the operation of residential homes of changes in mortgage payments. Any nursing care required in residential care homes should be provided by the local community nursing service or under its supervision; these homes do not need to have nurses' posts.