§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has held with the Association of Directors of Social Services on the motion passed by its conference urging the Government to empower local 183W authorities to make direct payments to severely disabled people to make their own personal assistance arrangements; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. YeoThe association discussed its views with officials recently. We have no current plans to amend legislation in this way. Our policy guidance to local authorities makes it clear that disabled people should be fully involved in the decisions about the services to be provided. Where a disabled person wants to take on the day-to-day management of his or her carers, this can be written into contracts with the providers of the service.