HC Deb 15 April 1991 vol 189 cc81-2W
Mr. Alfred Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight (Mr. Field) of 22 March,Official Report, column 254, if he will break down the estimated cost of £28 million for implementation of sections 1, 2 and 3 of the Disabled Persons (Services, Consultation and Representation) Act 1986; if any sums were included in respect of payments to authorised representatives; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

The information requested is as follows:

£m
Costs of running a system of authorized representatives under Sections 1 and 2 15
Additional costs incurred during assessment process under Section 3 through use of authorised representatives 3
£m
Costs of responding to increased pressures on service provision as a result of Sections 1–3 10

The cost estimates were based on detailed preparatory work undertaken independently by one metropolitan borough and one shire county. The metropolitan borough assumed that authorised representatives would not receive payments. The shire county assumed that 50 per cent. would be appointed by local authorities and receive fees and expenses, while the other 50 per cent. would be appointed by disabled people themselves and would receive expenses only.