§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if any elderly or disabled persons in the London borough of Redbridge have had to give up their home helps because of the borough council's imposition of charges even on people in receipt of supplementary benefit and if he will publish any figures available to his Department;
(2) what representations he has received from Councillor Ian Martin, a representative of the Seven Kings ward on the London borough of Redbridge council, concerning the council's imposition of charges on elderly and disabled people living on supplementary benefit for their home helps; what reply he is sending; what action he is taking; and if he will make a statement;
(3) how many people in the London borough of Redbridge and in the constituency of Wanstead and Woodford, respectively, are now being charged for home helps, notwithstanding the fact that they are in receipt of supplementary benefit; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. PrenticeThe information the right hon. Gentleman is seeking in relation to the London borough of Redbridge and the constituency of Wanstead and Woodford is not held centrally for any authority or constituency.
My right hon. Friend has already replied to Councillor Ian Martin's representations about charges for home helps, explaining the long-standing policy of the Department on the issue. I am sending the right hon. Gentleman a copy of the reply.