§ Mr. Andrew BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he is taking to determine the number of elderly persons who are(a) residents of 69W independent sector residential nursing homes and (b) in receipt of benefit and unable to meet the full costs of that accommodation and are being subsidised by relatives to the extent of (i) up to £10 weekly, (ii) £10 to £20 weekly and (iii) above £20 weekly.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe fees residents contract to pay for the services they receive in independent homes are a matter between the resident (or his or her relatives) and the home. In those cases where the agreed fees exceed the level of help available through income support, payments can be made from other sources towards the shortfall and these are ignored in calculating benefit entitlement.