§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will issue guidelines to social fund officers to accept applications for community care grants for domestic alarm installation, including telephone socket costs, to enable residents on benefit to continue to stay at home and out of long-stay residential institutions.
§ Mr. PortilloI have been asked to reply.
No. When considering such applications social fund officers will exercise their discretion in the light of general guidance and the Secretary of State's directions in the "Social Fund Manual". Local authorities have powers to supply and meet the costs of alarms for elderly, sick or disabled people. Housing benefit (or, for owner-occupiers, income support) may be available in certain circumstances to help with the running costs.