§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is his latest estimate of the costs of implementing section 7 of the Disabled Persons Act 1986;
(2) when he plans to conclude discussions with local authority associations on the implementation of section 7 of the Disabled Persons Act 1986;
(3) when he plans to implement section 7 of the Disabled Persons Act 1986.
§ Mr. ScottWe cannot at present indicate when we will implement section 7 as we are still in discussion about the costs, which the local authority associations estimate at more than £100 million a year. We hope to reach firm conclusions later in the year.