HC Deb 21 May 1990 vol 173 cc81-2W
Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the expenditure in each social security office area in Wales for the most recent available year, on paying for people to live in(a) private residential homes and (b) private nursing homes, respectively.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

I regret the information requested is unavailable and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to provide housing benefit to those in local authority residential homes.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

People in local authority residential homes are required to contribute to the cost of their care and accommodation according to their means. Those with insufficient resources to pay the statutory minimum contribution may be entitled to income support. Housing benefit is not payable in addition as there is no unmet liability for housing costs. We have no plans to change these provisions following the proposed introduction of the new arrangements for community care from April 1991.