§ 43. Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what 239W services, in addition to pensions and the provision of a supplementary pension, for the care of the elderly are now provided by his Department; and what is the approximate annual cost of each of these services.
§ Dr. John DunwoodyHealth and welfare services are provided for the elderly, as for other sections of the population by local authorities, hospital authorities and Executive Councils. Details of these services and their annual cost are given in my Department's Annual Reports and Digest of Health Statistics. Separate comprehensive figures of costs of services provided solely for the elderly are not available.
§ Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what discussion he is having with his own offices in major cities, and the appropriate local authority committees, with a view to taking steps to co-ordinate the work of voluntary committees and organisations, and providing adequate warden, meals on wheels, and similar services for the elderly.
§ Dr. John DunwoodyOfficers of my Department are available to give any advice and help that may be necessary, but the statutory authorities responsible for the provision of these services are the local authorities and I believe that coordination is most effectively secured by local action.