§ Mr. PatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to provide for a guaranteed place in a local authority home in any case where supplementary income support for board and lodging payments to elderly people of limited or no means in private or voluntary care residential and nursing homes is inadequate or insufficient to pay the costs.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyLocal authorities already have a duty to provide or arrange residential accommodation for elderly people in need of care and attention not otherwise available. Health authorities have similar responsibilities for people who require nursing care.