§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies on residential care for the elderly of the different arrangements in respect of the payment of increase in retirement pension paid to(a) those in local authority funded residential care and (b) those funded primarily by his Department in private residential accommodation.
§ Mr. PortilloAt present there are no differences in the arrangements for payment of retirement pension or increases in it as between pensioners in local authority residential care and private residential accommodation. The Department has, however, consulted local authority associations with proposals for easing administrative difficulties for authorities and residents over the encashment of pension order books for pensioners in local authority residential homes or sponsored by authorities in private and voluntary homes. Further proposals are expected to be made shortly, taking account of views expressed in the consultation.