§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps are being taken to monitor the impact of the requirement to spend 85 per cent. of the special transitional grant in the independent sector on domiciliary care; and if she will make a statement;
(2) what mechanisms exist to monitor local authorities' compliance with the requirement to spend 85 per cent. of the special transitional grant for domiciliary care in the independent sector.
§ Mr. BowisPrior to 1993, all the resources transferred from the Department of Social Security to social services departments, via the community care transitional grant, went to the independent sectors. Local authorities are required to spend at least 85 per cent. of the social security transfer element of the special transitional grant on independent sector community care services. We have established an extensive programme of monitoring and evaluation which is considering all the key aspects of the implementation of the community care reforms. The district audit service will verify compliance with the requirement.