§ Mr. Andrew BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on local authorities' continuing responsibilities for(a) residents of local authority part III homes which are closed down, (b) former residents of part III homes which were transferred to the private or voluntary sector before 25 June arid (c) former residents of part III homes which are transferred to the private or voluntary sector between 25 June and the date on which directions issued under section 21(1) of the National Assistance Act 1948 and paragraph 2 of schedule 8 to the National Health Service Act 1977 take effect.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyLocal authorities have, and will continue to have a statutory duty to provide residential accommodation for people in need of care and attention which is not otherwise available. This duty is not affected by any arrangements local authorities may make to transfer or close their residential care homes.
Where residential accommodation previously provided under part III of the National Assistance Act 1948 is transferred to the private or voluntary sector the extent of the local authorities' continuing responsibility for residents in these homes currently depends upon the terms on which the transfer was made. It is our intention that the status of people who are resident in homes which are transferred after the introduction of the proposed directions will remain unchanged by the transfer, in that 334W the full cost of the accommodation and care will continue to be the responsibility of the local authority which placed them there, subject to the relevant charging provisions.