§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what his Department is doing to improve community care provision in Scotland.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythSince taking office we have increased the planning figure for local authority spending on social work services by 67 per cent. in real terms. In the current year the planning figure is £461.7 million, 13 per cent. higher than last year and 6 per cent. higher than. authorities' own budgets for last year. Within these resources it is primarily for local authorities in consultation as necessary with health boards and other interests to provide levels of community care provision appropriate to their area. More specifically, the Government are studying the report by Sir Roy Griffiths on community care and will bring forward proposals in due course.