§ Mr. Tony Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many cases have been referred to him for investigation as to whether a local authority is in breach of section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970; in how many cases he found that a prima facie case existed where an authority was in breach of that Act; in how many cases he made an order under section 36 of the National Assistance Act of 1948 declaring an authority to be in default; and what action he took in those cases 534W where a prima facie case existed and in which he made no order under the National Assistance Act 1948 to ensure compliance;
(2) what steps will he take to monitor authorities which have previously been investigated and found to be in default of section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970.
§ Mr. NewtonInvestigations of this nature are carried out only where there is prima facie evidence that a local authority may be in breach of its statutory duty. Since May 1979 we have made formal inquiries into 33 complaints of alleged default. On no occasion has default action proved necessary or appropriate in the light of these inquiries. One case is still under consideration.