§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to ensure that users of community care provisions are enabled to have a genuine choice of services after April.
§ Mr. YeoMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State intends to issue a statutory direction requiring local authorities to place someone assessed as needing residential care into the accommodation of their choice, subject to practical conditions such as cost, availability and suitability. The statutory direction will also make it clear that authorities should use their discretion in a way which respects users' wishes when arranging the provision of any community care service.
§ Mr. BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when her Department will issue the guidance referred to in paragraph 3.31 of the policy guidance, "Community Care in the Next Decade and Beyond", on the power of local authorities to make discretionary charges for welfare services under section 17 of the Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudications Act 1983.