§ Mr. Weetchasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government that local authorities should not impose charges for home helps at supplementary benefit levels of income.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeLocal authorities have power to make reasonable charges for their home help services at their discretion. We would prefer local authorities not to charge those at supplementary benefit levels of income or below for home help services.
§ Mr. Weetchasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether it is the policy of his Department that the costs at supplementary benefit levels of income of privately employed home helps should be refunded whereas those provided by local authorities should not.
§ Dr. BoysonYes. In assessing a person's weekly requirements for supplementary benefit purposes, charges made for essential domestic assistance are taken into account, other than for assistance provided by a local authority or by a close relative who incurs only minimal expenses.