HC Deb 19 October 1990 vol 177 c947W
Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the likely additional costs to his departmental budget during the current financial year of local authorities passing the management or ownership of residential care homes into the hands of not-for-profit trusts, charitable organisations, housing associations or private companies.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

Information on the number of people living in transferred homes and claiming income support is not available centrally. Accordingly, it is not possible to make an estimate of any additional costs that may have arisen.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he is taking in response to the conclusions of recent surveys into the funding of the costs of private residential care undertaken by the Association of Metropolitan Authorities, the care management advisory services and the National Federation of Housing Associations, copies of which have been sent to his Department.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State takes account of the numerous submissions that he receives from interested bodies and individuals in his annual review of the income support limits for people in independent homes. He will be making an announcement about his review shortly.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security why his Department intends not to make public the conclusions of the Price Waterhouse survey on the costs of residential care.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has given an undertaking to the Social Services Committee of the House that the conclusions of the survey would be published. He will make a statement shortly.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any proposals to alter the existing arrangements for the payment of means-tested benefits to residents of care homes which have been transferred out of the ownership of local authorities.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

We have made no such proposals.