§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consideration he has given to the report, dated December 1983, of the survey by the Association of Directors of Social Services entitled "Personal Social Services Expenditure, Staffing and Activities"; if there is any action he will be taking in consequence of its findings; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenThis is another helpful report from the Association of Directors of Social Services giving indications of the state of the local authority personal social services. But they are only indications: the survey had only a 67 per cent. response, and more complete and recent information available to the Government shows, for example, that local authorities have budgeted to spend 2½ per cent. more this year—not 1¾ per cent. as reported by the association. Subject to that reservation, the survey provides evidence concerning authorities' wish to protect vulnerable people and of their positive response to the Government's community care policies, and will be a useful adjunct to other such evidence in the further development of these policies.