§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will list the local limits payable by his Department's offices to residents of private residential homes;
(2) if he will list the local limits payable by his Department's offices to residents of private nursing homes.
§ Mr. WhitneyI refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Member for Brent, North (Dr. Boyson) to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) on 9 February at column753.
§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to cater for the needs of old people living in private residential homes which are forced to close; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenResidents who have made private arrangements for admission to such homes must make their own arrangements, which can of course include seeking help from the local housing and social services authorities. In the case of residents sponsored in private homes by local authorities, we would expect the authorities concerned to make the necessary arrangements.
§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many private residential homes have been closed down by local social services departments during each of the past three years and in the first half of 1984; what reasons were given for these closures; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenAt present, information is not held centrally about cancelled registrations, but a circular issued by the Department on 31 August 1984 described the arrangements that are being made to set up a national list of cancelled registrations and asked authorities to notify the Department of cancellations after 1 January 985. A copy of the circular LAC(84)15 is in the Library
§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many complaints he has investigated into old people being ill-treated or defrauded in private residential homes since June 1983; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenResponsibility for registering and inspecting privately run residential homes and for taking action, if necessary, to ensure adequate standards of care rests with local social services authorities. If any question of fraud against the Department arose the matter would be fully investigated.
§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has to control the number of private residential homes and the charges they impose for their services; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. John PattenThe duty to register and inspect private residential homes lies with local social services authorities and we have no plans to control the number registered. Charges to residents in these homes are a matter between those running the homes and the resident or his relatives. It would not be appropriate for us to intervene in these matters.