§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average cost of providing(a) residential and (b) nursing home care; and what is the average payment made to those on income support in each category.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe Department does not collect data on the average cost of providing residential or nursing home care. Last year we commissioned Price Waterhouse to undertake a survey into costs; some figures are available in its report, a copy of which is available in the Library.
For information about average payments made to those on income support I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 5 February at column 133–34.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average percentage of total costs of(a) residential and (b) nursing home care met by his Department for those who are on income support.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.