§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services on what basis the sum of £5 million has been set aside for funding the Independent Living Fund in 1988–89; and what proportion of this sum he expects to be expended on(a) administration and (b) publicity.
§ Mr. ScottThe sum actually allocated to the Independent Living Fund will depend on the number of applicants meeting the eligibility criteria. The £5 million which has been set aside for the fund initially represents our estimate of the maximum likely expenditure by the fund. Administration costs will depend on the volume of applications received. The level of expenditure on publicity once the fund is operational will be a matter for the trustees.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether payments from the Independent Living Fund to individuals will be made on(a) a weekly or (b) a monthly basis.
§ Mr. ScottThe method and frequency of payments from the Independent Living Fund will be a matter for the trustees to determine.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what account he expects the trustees of the Independent Living Fund to take of regional variations in costs and prices when assessing the levels of payments from the fund.
§ Mr. ScottIn determining the level of payments from the Independent Living Fund I would expect the trustees to have regard to the actual cost to individual applicants of employing personal care or domestic assistance.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is yet in a position to give details of the campaign to publicise the Independent Living Fund; and what is his assessment of the current level of awareness of its existence amongst potential claimants.
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§ Mr. ScottWe are proposing to mount a publicity campaign to coincide with the formal launch of the fund, and advertising consultants have been briefed to develop this. A press release was issued on 31 March giving an address for potential applicants and others interested in the fund to write to. To date some 100 inquiries from individuals, voluntary organisations and those professionally involved with disabled people have been received at this address.
In addition the role of the fund has been brought to the attention of the Department's regional organisation. I also understand that information about the fund is being circulated to all citizens' advice bureaux. The level of inquiries received at this early stage indicates that many potential applicants are already aware of the fund's existence and purpose.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what categories of people will be appointed as trustees of the Independent Living Fund; who will administer the fund on a day-to-day basis; and what qualifications they will have to assess individual claims for disablement benefit.
§ Mr. ScottThose appointed as trustees of the Independent Living Fund will be chosen to represent a whole range of appropriate qualities and interests. In particular, they will include individuals with special knowledge and experience of disability, and people from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is envisaged that the day-to-day administration of the fund will be delegated to the trust's administrative staff, acting according to the trustees' instructions. Borderline cases are likely to be referred to the trustees for guidance where necessary. I would expect the trustees and their staff to take appropriate professional advice on all cases. In addition, the Disablement Income Group and the Department will be available to advise the fund if required.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to the answer of 12 April,Official Report, columns 5–6, what right of appeal or review there will be in respect of decisions on applications for payments from the Independent Living Fund in the period before the trust is formally established; when he expects the trustees to be in a position to determine how to deal with cases which have been turned down; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottNo payments can formally be made from the Independent Living Fund before its legal establishment. All applications addressed to the fund now will be examined by officials, with professional advice, and the case for interim payments considered. All applications will, however, be fully re-examined by the trustees when appointed, whether or not interim payments have been made.