§ Mr. RoweTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (I) if he has any plans to compensate health authorities for any additional costs incurred by the failure of local authorities to meet their obligations to clients within the health authority boundaries;
(2) what steps he takes to monitor additional costs falling upon health authorities as a consequence of industrial action by social services or other staff caring for vulnerable people in their communities;
(3) what representations he has received from health authorities affected by the withdrawal of services by social services staff in Camden; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyWe are not aware of any calculations of excess costs being made by health authorities in these circumstances.
The strike by social workers in Camden has disrupted social services in the borough, although statutory duties are being carried out on an emergency basis by management. The protracted nature of this dispute is clearly against the interests of the public and Camden residents. The dispute should he resolved quickly by the local authority and its work force.