§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the recommendations which bear on his responsibilities put forward in the National Council for Voluntary Organisations report "Crisis in Residential Care", a copy of which has been forwarded to him.
62W
§ Mr. NewtonI expect to meet representatives from the National Council of Voluntary Organisations on 19 March to discuss the recommendations made in their report. The relevant recommendations and any further representations they may make will be considered in the context of the current review of the supplementary benefits limits for people in residential care and nursing homes, and will also be taken into account by the working party with the local authority associations announced in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Kent (Mr. Rowe) on 28 January at column501.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the limits on assistance towards living costs payable to people in private board and lodgings by his Department; and what are the limits on allowances payable to elderly and disabled people for private residential or nursing care.
§ Mr. NewtonI refer the hon. Member to schedule 1 of the Supplementary Benefit (Requirements and Resources) Miscellaneous Provisions (No. 2) Regulations 1985 (SI 1985 No. 1835) for the maximum supplementary benefit amounts payable to people in residential care homes, nursing homes and hostels, and to the HMSO publication "Supplementary Benefit Maximum Amounts, Initial Periods and Board and Lodging Areas", a copy of which is in the Library, for information relating to ordinary board and lodging accommodation. The limits for ordinary board and lodging and hostels can be extended by 63W up to £17.30 in certain individual cases, for example where a claimant is elderly or physically or mentally infirm.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what studies are conducted by his Department of rates which private landlords and owners of residential homes charge for young claimants of supplementary benefits and elderly people, respectively.
§ Mr. NewtonA study by management consultants on costs and charges in residential care and nursing homes is expected to be completed later in the spring. Longer-term research covering this area is being undertaken by academic units at the Universities of York and Kent. As part of the current review of limits, the Department is also looking at charges for all types of boarder accommodation.