§ Mr. Alexander Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the increase in Exchequer support 306W to each Scottish local authority to enable it fully to apply the provisions of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons (Scotland) Act 1972; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellExpenditure by local authorities on services for the chronically sick and disabled is relevant expenditure for Rate Support Grant purposes. Rate support grants are not allocated to particular services but, under the Rate Support Grant (Scotland) Order 1973, which is at present before the House, it is estimated that the total reckonable expenditure on social work services to be taken into account for grant will be £40.2 million in 1973–74 and £44.48 million in 1974–75. These figures compare with the provisional outturn expenditure in 1971–72 of £34.4 million. All figures are at end-1972 prices. The order also provides for an increase in the rate of grant from 66 per cent. in 1971–72 and 66.5 per cent. in 1972–73 to 68 per cent. in the two years 1973–75 I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a circular issued on 10th April 1972, which gave guidance to local authorities on the provision of services for the handicapped.