§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent representations he has had about waiting lists for help under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act; and what action he has taken.
§ Mr. RossiI have had two representations expressing concern about the possibility there were waiting lists for the provision of telephones in Liverpool. I am currently pursuing inquiries with the local authority.
§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice he has given to local authorities about charging for home helps provided under section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act in cases where the disabled person concerned as on supplementary benefit and unable to meet the charge.
§ Mr. NewtonNo specific advice has been issued to the local authorities about charging in such circumstances, but as my hon. and learned Friend said during the Report debate on the Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudications Bill on 11 May — [Vol. 42, c. 884–51]—in general we would prefer authorities not to charge people on supplementary benefit for most of the range of day and domiciliary services including home helps. We feel that the local authority associations are the most appropriate bodies to provide general guidance for their members on charging for day and domiciliary services and they have been invited to do so. So far one association has accepted but another has declined this request.