§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on revision of the criteria for the provision of telephones for the elderly in the light of the views received from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.
§ Mr. FairgrieveDecisions whether to provide assistance to elderly or handicapped persons towards the provision or retention of a telephone are for the local authorities themselves to take, but minimum criteria were suggested in a circular issued in 1972. Following consultation with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, my right hon. Friend does not at present propose to issue any further guidance on the provision of telephone facilities. Local authorities will continue to take decisions on this matter in the light of their assessment of individual need.