§ Lord Mancroftasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will provide a definition of "voluntary organisations" for the purposes of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 as amended by the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1991 and whether they will direct that local authorities should use this definition in determining which organisations should be permitted to provide the accommodation element of community care for a person who is or has been dependent on alcohol or drugs; and 68WA When they will provide a definition of "voluntary organisations" for the purposes of Section 5A(3)(c) of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1988, inserted by Section 51 of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office (Lord Strathclyde)The definition of a "voluntary organisation" is contained in Section 94 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968. Limiting the providers of accommodation in the way suggested would be contrary to our policy of seeking to promote a mixed economy of care.