§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services in the light of the fact that some local authorities have allocated no expenditure at all for the purpose of Section 2(1)(e) and Section 2(1)(h) of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, what consideration he is giving to guiding local authorities as to their legal duties under the Act; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisI understand that all local authorities in England have made provision in their estimates for such expenditure in 1977–78. Returns for 1976–77 suggest that a few authorities did not undertake any new telephone installations or adaptations to property in that year. I am having inquiries made into these cases and will write to my hon. Friend when these are complete. Meanwhile, I am grateful to my hon. Friend for this opportunity to repeat once again the advice I have received that authorities have a legal duty to meet identified and accepted need in respect of services under Section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act.