HC Deb 11 July 1972 vol 840 cc270-2W
30. Mr. Molloy

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further advice he now intends to give local authorities about the provision of telephones for persons housebound by age or infirmity in the light of his current studies of methods of communication.

Mr. Alison

The local authority associations concerned have recently recommended to their members revised minimum criteria for the provision of telephones, and these are given below. Additionally, we are in touch with the two studies which the National Council for the Care of Old People is sponsoring into methods of communication, but reports on these will not be available for some time.

Following is the information: As requested, a number of local authorities have submitted comments on their experience of operating the provisional criteria recommended in the joint circular of March, 1971. In the light of their comments and after consultation with the Central Council for the Disabled, the associations have agreed to recommend the following modified criteria; Telephones should be provided for people who meet the following minimum criteria: I.

  1. (a) live alone; or
  2. (b) are frequently left alone; or
  3. (c) live with a person or persons who are not in a position or cannot be relied on, to be able either to deal with an emergency or to maintain necessary outside contacts.
II.
  1. (a) have a prima facieneed to be able to get in touch with a doctor, ancillary medical worker or helper; and
  2. (b) are in danger or at risk unless provided with a telephone.
 III.
  1. (a) are either unable to leave the house in normal weather without the help of an other person or have seriously restricted mobility; and
  2. (b) in the view of the authority need a telephone to avoid isolation.
 Criteria I and either II or III should be satisfied in full and there should be no family friends and neighbours available, willing and able to help.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many applications for free installation and/or rental of telephones for the elderly or handicapped to the Supplementary Benefits Commission have been rejected by that body, but subsequently accepted by a local authority, within the latest available 12-month period.

Mr. Dean

I regret that information in the form requested is not available. Under arrangements recently made between the commission and local authority associations designed to avoid duplication of action, applications for help with telephone costs are considered in the first instance by local authorities. The commission will, however, consider assisting in cases which appear to a local authority to satisfy the commission's criteria for giving help.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many telephones have been supplied to elderly or handicapped persons in England and Wales in the latest 12-month period for which figures are available, through the Supplementary Benefits Commission; and what has been the total cost.

Mr. Dean

In the 12-month period ending February, 1972, the commission provided help with the cost of telephones in 19 cases in England and Wales. The help given may have been with rental or installation costs, or both, in part or in full, according to individual circumstances; and records are not kept in such a form as to enable the total cost to be given.