§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the preparedness of local authorities in Scotland to implement the new community care arrangements in April.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonLocal authorities have been implementing the new community care arrangements in phases since 1991. All authorities now have complaints procedures and arm's length inspection units. The mental illness specific grant introduced in 1991–92 has built up community facilities for mentally ill people. All authorities, except one, have prepared community care plans which form the basis of discussions between them and the Scottish Office community care implementation unit. In the next phase, starting in April 1993, local authorities will assume responsibility for assessing individual's needs and purchasing residential and nursing home care. Preparations for this are well in hand, but systems will continue to develop and be refined with experience of the new arrangements.