§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will define the circumstances in which local authorities and health authorities meet the full cost of the care of an individual placed in private or voluntary residential care; and whether these circumstances apply equally when the claimant is over pensionable age;
(2) what access to residential care an individual enjoys if the statutory services are unwilling or unable to make provision.
§ Mr. MellorStatutory responsibility for the provision of residential care rests with local authorities. Under section 21 of the National Assistance Act 1948 and directions issued by the Secretary of State, local authorities have a duty to make arrangements for providing residential accommodation for persons ordinarily resident in their area who, by reason of age, infirmity or other circumstances are in need of care and attention which is not otherwise available to them. Local authorities may themselves provide such accommodation. Alternatively they may under section 26 of that Act, sponsor residents in voluntary or private residential care homes, in which case the local authority pays the full fees and the resident pays the authority in accordance with his or her means.