§ Mr. George Rodgersasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will publish in the Official Report the number of people who have received assistance under the terms of Section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act during the last six years for which figures are available; and if he will indicate the cost of such assistance to central Government funds in each year;
(2) if he will publish figures showing the cost to Government funds, as distinct from expenditure by local authorities, on the provision of telephones and aids for disabled people under the terms of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act during the last six years for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisThe following are the net numbers of households in England receiving assistance with the provision of adaptations to homes, aids and telephones, and also the numbers of persons receiving assistance with holidays. Figures are not available prior to 1973.
Numbers ('000) Year ended 31st March Households assisted Persons assisted with holidays 1973 … … 142.9 80.9 1974 … … 198.5 89.8 1975 … … 233.6 104.8 1976 … … 299.8 101.4 The provision of services under Section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 is met from expenditure by local authorities, which receive block rate support grants which are not assigned to particular services. Over the last six years, the national total of grant has ranged from 58 per cent. to 66.5 per cent. of total relevant expenditure. During the period 1972–1973 to 1975–1976—the first and last years for which figures are available—local authorities in England spent £16 million on telephones and aids—about £24 million at November 1976 prices assuming inflation at the same rate 40W as for the personal social services as a whole; £11 million on adaptations to homes—about £16 million at November 1976 prices; and £10 million on holidays —about £15 million at November 1976 prices. These figures include loan charges and an estimated amount for administrative costs. Information about numbers of people helped and expenditure in respect of services under Section 2, which are not listed, is not separately identifiable but would clearly amount to a very considerable sum since it would include meals-on-wheels, cost of transport and a range of other welfare services.
§ Mr. George Rodgersasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he intends to take in connection with local authorities which have diluted the definition of need under the terms of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, following the curtailment of expenditure in the public sector.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisAs my hon. Friend will be aware, the determination of need under the Act must be judged in the light of the individual circumstances of the disabled person, not of any general definition. Moreover, as I said in reply to my hon. Friend, the Member for Mitcham and Morden (Mr. Douglas-Mann) on 13th December 1976—[Vol. 922, c. 609]—according to the advice I have received, once need has been accepted, a service given under Section 2 cannot be withdrawn in the absence of a reduction of need. I have instructed my officials to inquire into any case where there is reason to think that a local authority may be in breach of its statutory duty.