§ Mr. HannamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that users of community care services are formally consulted when local authorities are drawing up their plans for community care; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyWe will be issuing guidance to local authorities on community care plans. This will reinforce our intention, set out in the White Paper "Caring for People", that local authorities should consult representatives of users of services and their carers in drawing up plans.