§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what consultation was undertaken by his Department with local authorities and welfare organisations to determine local needs and the formula by means of which the balance was determined between grants and loan budgets under the social fund for 1988–89 for each local office of his Department.
§ Mr. ScottThe division of the national social fund budget between grants and loans was based on research carried out on our behalf by the social policy research unit. An explanation of the basis of social fund allocations to local offices for 1988–89 is available in the Library. In deciding community care grant allocations for future years we will be carrying out a local consultation process, the precise details of which will be announced closer to the time.