§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice has been given by his Department to agencies concerned with the provision of drug and alcohol services with regard to the funding of residential care after 1 April 1993.
§ Mr. DorrellNone. We are currently consulting about the specific grant to local authorities. Under the phased introduction of community care local authorities are expected to produce their plans, after consultation, by April 1992. Detailed arrangements for funding residential care for alcohol and drug misusers after 1 April 1993 have yet to be decided.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department is able to take in the event of a local authority being unable to meet its duty to provide or arrange residential accommodation for elderly people in need of care and attention not otherwise available.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe provision of residential care is a local authority responsibility. They are expected to give priority to the discharge of their statutory duties. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has default powers which can be used if a local authority fails to fulfil its statutory duty under the National Assistance Act 1948 to provide residential care to people in need of care and attention which is not otherwise available to them.
§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce legislation to extend registration procedures to small residential homes.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyWe remain committed to seeking an early opportunity for legislation to bring these small homes under regulatory control.