Personal Social Services Council

HC Deb 24 January 1980 vol 977 cc333-5W

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received about his decisions to wind-up the Personal Social

since 1974 (a) retirement pension, (b) invalidity pension with maximum invalidity allowance, (c) non-contributory invalidity pension, (d) invalid care allowance, (e) attendance allowance at each rate, (f) industrial disablement benefit (100 per cent. rate) and (g) the maximum total benefit payable to a 100 per cent. disabled war pensioner.

Mr. Prentice

The information requested is contained in the following table:

Services Council; what replies he has sent; and if he will make a statement.

Sir George Young

My right hon. Friend has received five letters from individual council members, six from voluntary and other organisations, and one sending me an advance copy of a letter subsequently published in The Times. Replies dealing with the particular points raised have so far been sent to all but two correspondents, who will receive replies shortly.

Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the activities of the Personal Social Services Council under appropriate headings at the time of his decision to wind-up the council; if his Department is seeking to assist in ensuring that any of those activities will be carried on by other bodies; if he will consult the councilabout those of its activities which it believes should be continued after 31 March; and if he will make a statement.

Sir George Young

The council was undertaking or preparing for work, or further work, on a variety of issues. These included ageing and later life; people with handicaps; complaints by children in care, intermediate treatment; a target date for a fully qualified social work profession; violence in the family; and research needs in the personal social services. The council has been consulting with certain other bodies about arrangements for taking some of these activities further. The Department is in close touch with the chairman and senior council staff on this and all other aspects of the council's closure, and will be giving all the help it usefully can.