§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has considered whether the Association of Crossroads Care Attendant Schemes, may be able to assist local authorities to set up appropriate assessment procedures as proposed in "Community Care: Agenda for Action".
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyOur proposals for assessment will be set out in our White Paper on community care which is to be published on Thursday 16 November. We plan to issue further detailed guidance to local authorities and health authorities in due course, following discussions with professional and representative bodies, including voluntary sector organisations.
§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if, in the preparation of the White Paper on community care, he has considered the need to increase section 64 funding to voluntary organisations providing community care services.
§ Mr. FreemanThe increased role of the voluntary sector envisaged in our White Paper proposals is likely to lead to increased funding, using the section 64 power, in coming years. Health authorities (using section 64) and local authorities (using section 65) will determine their arrangements for care provision involving voluntary organisations and hence the levels of funding.