§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to ensure that the entitlement to constant attendance allowance is made known to those likely to be entitled by using medical, local authority and ancillary services ; and whether he will make such entitlement retrospective.
§ Mr. DeanWe have taken steps to ensure that the benefit is widely known. Lord Amulree, Chairman of the Attendance Allowance Board, has written to all general practitioners, directors of social services and medical officers of health on four separate occasions explaining the scheme to them and asking them to encourage claims from those who might be entitled ; and there has been a series of advertising campaigns in the national Press and relevant periodicals, together with the usual distribution of leaflets and posters. Under the National Insurance Acts 1970 and 1972 payment of attendance allowance cannot be made for any period prior to the date of claim, and it is not proposed to amend this provision.