§ Mr. McCrindleTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the number and average cost of private residential accommodation for the elderly in 1986 and 1988; how this increase compares with the retail price index; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydI regret that information is not available in the precise form requested. However relevant information in respect of income support payments to people in independent—that is private and voluntary—homes is provided in the table. Over the corresponding period, the increase in the retail price index was 9.9 per cent.