§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what resources he has allocated to the War Pensions Agency to ensure that welfare officers have advised all disabled war pensioners of their statutory rights concerning disregard on local authority charges.
§ Mr. ArbuthnotThis is a matter for Mr. Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the War Pensions Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Ms Joan Walley, dated 18 January 1995:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about resources allocated to ensure that the War Pensions Agency Welfare Officers advise all disabled war pensioners of their statutory rights concerning disregards on local authority charges.It is incumbent upon welfare officers to provide a professional and effective advice service to all disabled war pensioners with whom they come into contact. As part of that service, welfare officers would normally cover advice regarding statutory rights concerning disregards on local authority charges. In addition, information on the statutory rights to disregard of local authority charges is contained in leaflets issued to all successful claimants to War Pension, under standard procedures.The exact information you request on the resources allocated to this specific activity is not available, as resources are not allocated on an individual advice item basis. I can however tell you that the total resources allocated to the welfare service during the current year, which include this area of advice, is £5.6 million.I hope you find my reply helpful.