§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what studies have been made of possible assistance by means of technical devices to allow the disabled and the aged to live at home without imposing excessive hardship on dependants; if he will make an immediate study of this problem; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir K. JosephWhenever the potential benefit of equipment for elderly or disabled people is considered one of the factors is the extent to which relief would be provided for those caring for them; and the evaluation and development of such apparatus is invariably undertaken with the overall requirement in mind. Specific studies aimed at relieving attendants rather than the disabled people themselves would not necessarily produce a better answer. I will continue to bear in mind the need to reduce the burden on families of caring for elderly or disabled relatives whenever investigations into new techniques or equipment are planned.