§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consideration he has given to the Personal Social Services Council's latest report on cuts in local social services for chronically sick and disabled people; if, in particular, he has studied the report's finding with regard to the reduced provision of aids and telephones, home helps and meals-on-wheels, in many localities; what action he is taking; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PrenticeI have carefully considered this and similar reports. The need for restraint in public expenditure has meant that local authorities are faced with difficult decisions which have compelled them in some cases to effect a reduction in particular services. I firmly believe that local authorities are best placed to judge their own needs and priorities.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if his Department has collected any material on the implementation by local authorities of section 15 of the Chronically Sick and 287W Disabled Persons Act; and if he will publish it.
§ Mr. PrenticeOfficials of the Department have made informal inquiries from time to time about the implementation of this section, but the results are not in a form that would be meaningful if published.