§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received since 1988 concerning provision of help towards the cost of visits to hospital for families not on income support, and on the difficulties of families on income support obtaining community care grants towards hospital visits; what plans he has to assist families who are finding it difficult to travel to hospital to visit their relatives; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottSince 1988 we have received various representations concerning help with the cost of visiting people who are ill. The hospital travel costs scheme run by the Department of Health provides help for patients to86W attend hospital. Community care grants from the social fund may be available to help someone in receipt of income support visit a person who is ill. These arrangements are designed to ensure that help is targeted on the most needy families.