§ Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what directions he has issued to area health boards relating to services which local authorities in Great Britain have a duty to provide under Section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CarterThe Functions of Health and Social Services Boards (No. 1) Direction (Northern Ireland) 1973 delegates administrative responsibility for services in these fields to the Northern Ireland area health and personal social services 939W boards. Under this direction the boards provide services of the sort provided by local authorities in Great Britain under section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970. The boards are aware of the need to give priority to the development of community social services for the handicapped, but progress will depend on the availability of financial and manpower resources.
§ Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what schemes have been submitted to him by area health boards relating to services which local authorities in Great Britain have a duty to provide under Section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CarterServices for the handicapped are being developed on the basis of a programme of care by area health and social services boards, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Social Services, Northern Ireland, rather than through the submission of schemes. The question of submitting schemes does not therefore arise.