HC Deb 26 November 1987 vol 123 cc325-6W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will outline the average expenditure per mile paid by each area health authority towards the use of an ambulance.

Mr. Portillo

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Central, Fife (Mr. McLeish) on 24 November.

Mr. Winnick

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average amount paid out weekly per resident by his Department to owners of privately owned homes for the elderly on behalf of residents.

Mr. Portillo

Where the resident is entitled to supplementary benefit help with the fees, payment is made to the resident himself and not to the home owner, except where, very exceptionally, payment is received by the owner because either the resident cannot manage his own affairs and there is no one else to act for him, or the resident has fallen into arrears with his fees and direct payment is the best way to safeguard his accommodation. In May 1987, the latest date for which information is available, the average weekly payment of supplementary benefit to those elderly people in receipt of supplementary benefit in residential care and nursing homes was £107.13.

Home owners also receive payments made by local authorities in respect of sponsored residents.