§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will consider applying to charges levied for residential accommodation for the elderly criteria that will permit elderly persons who have saved money during their working lives to retain it and not be called upon by the health boards to contribute towards the cost of such accommodation.
§ Mr. John PattenIn Northern Ireland the assessment of the ability of elderly people to pay for statutory residential accommodation is made on the same basis as the rest of the United Kingdom. The rules applied are based on the supplementary benefit scheme rules, and any change would have to be applied throughout the United Kingdom.