§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidance his Department has issued to local authorities on the need to protect vulnerable minorities in the community from the effects of reductions in Government expenditure; what specific categories his advice has applied to; and what response he has received from local authorities.
§ Mr. RossiWe have consistently emphasised that local authorities must make their own decisions on the provision of personal social services, but that we expected them to protect as far as possible very vulnerable groups such as the frail elderly, children at risk and the severely disabled. Present indications are that in general they are doing so.