§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has held recently with the Council of Scottish Local Authorities concerning the new arrangements for the provision of personal assistance services to people who would previously have been eligible for financial assistance from the independent living fund; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Stewart:[holding answer 4 February, 1993]: My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State most recently met representatives of the convention's social work committee on 2 October 1992 when a number of community care issues were discussed. This meeting preceded the announcement by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Social Security and Disabled People on 24 November about the future of the independent living fund and its successor body arrangements to be introduced from 1 April.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland subsequently announced on 2 December that in 1993–94 £2.8 million was being added to both Government supported expenditure and to aggregate exchequer finance to cover costs to local authorities arising out of their responsibilities under the new arrangements.