§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost estimated during 1991 by the NHS management executive on the basis of returns received from regional health authorities of requiring strict compliance by district health authorities with the departmental guidance given in EL(90)MB/45; what steps her Department has taken to identify those district health authorities which have not complied with such guidance and that contained in EL(91)108; and what is the current estimated capital and revenue costs to those health authorities of complying with such guidance.
§ Mr. BowisThe purpose of EL(90)MB/45 and EL(91)108 was to clarify the then legal position on arrangements between health authorities and voluntary and private nursing and residential homes and to advise authorities that they should take legal advice when entering into such arrangements. Authorities were not required to submit returns in response to the letters and individual arrangements are not subject to audit by the Department.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the Health Select Committee recommendation in paragraph 15 of its sixth report of Session 1992–93, "Community Care", HC 482, that the Government take further action in relation to local authorities making cash payments to disabled people to make their own personal assistance arrangements.
§ Mr. BowisWe will consider all the Committee's recommendations and publish our response in due course.