§ 34. Mr. David MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the funding of care in the community.
§ Mr. Allan StewartOur commitment to the funding of community care services was set out in the White Paper "Caring for People" (Cm 849). In 1993–94 the process of transferring resources from the Department of Social Security to local authorities to enable them to meet their new community care responsibilities, will begin. Already my right hon. Friend made provision in aggregate external finance of £11 million in 1991–92 and £21 million in 1992–93 in recognition of the additional costs to local authorities in implementing community care. He has also allocated £33 million to health boards over the years 1991–92 to 1994–95 by way of bridging finance to assist the movement of patients in long-stay hospitals into suitable provision within the community.