HC Deb 06 May 1994 vol 242 cc684-5W
Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what evidence he has of local authorities failing to consider quality of care and value for money when purchasing or supplying care services.

Mr. Stewart

[holding answer 3 May 1994]: While local authorities clearly consider issues of quality and value for money, the cost of their directly provided residential care is significantly higher than similar provision available from the private sector which meets the quality standards of registration. Residential care is a major component of local authority community care expenditure.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list(a) the advantages and (b) the disadvantages to users of care services provided by (i) the private sector, (ii) the volunary sector and (iii) local authorities.

Mr. Stewart

[holding answer 3 May 1994]: Good qulaity community care services are available in the statutory, voluntary and private sectors. Authorities should seek to offer clients a choice of services from a range of providers which meet their needs and offer good value.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library a list of the individuals and groups who have made representations to him about the purchase of care services from the private sector by local authorities.

Mr. Stewart

[holding answer 3 May 1994]: No. Many representations have been received and could not be listed individually without disproportionate cost.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy in the long run for the involvement of local authorities in the provision of care services.

Mr. Stewart

[holding answer 3 May 1994]: Local authorities will continue to have a role as providers of community care services, but, in order to maximise choice and value for money, they should both distinguish between their roles as purchasers and providers and make full use of the independent sector.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his intended circular and formal directions to local authorities on community care plans.

Mr. Stewart

[holding answer 3 May 1994]: Appropriate bodies have recently been consulted on draft guidance and directions which would require local authorities to include in their community care plans statements showing (a) the planned volumes and types of care services to be purchased (b) the estimated costs of such purchases and (c) the proportion of their total proposed expenditure to be incurred on purchases from the independent sector. Responses are being considered.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportions of local authorities' expenditure on care services he expects to be devoted to purchases from the independent sector, the voluntary sector and to in-house provisions.

Mr. Stewart

[holding answer 3 May 1994:]These proportions should be determined locally in the light of availability of services and as a result of authorities purchasing good-quality services from whichever provider meets the needs and wishes of clients within a reasonable cost.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which care services he intends should be subject to formal tendering; and which would be accepted for spot purchasing.

Mr. Stewart

[holding answer 3 May 1994]: These are matters for local authorities to determine in the light of local needs and circumstances.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what experience and qualifications he will require from new providers of(a) residential care and (b) home helps.

Mr. Stewart

[holding answer 3 May 1994]: There are no statutory requirements for qualifications. However, all residential care homes have to be registered with the social work authorities and are regularly inspected by them.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in what geographical area of Scotland he considers there is not a real choice of care services; and where he intends to promote the development of the independent sector.

Mr. Stewart

[holding answer 3 May 1994]: The extent of choice varies from area to area and service to service. It is the Government's policy to widen the range of choice by encouraging the independent sector throughout Scotland.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library a list of the individuals and groups he has consulted on his draft paper advising local authorities of new requirements governing the content of their community care plans.

Mr. Stewart

[holding answer 3 May 1994]: My right hon. Friend is making arrangements to place the list in the Library.

Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what length of contract he deems appropriate for the provision of residential care.

Mr. Stewart

[holding answer 3 May 1994]: That is a matter for local determination. In the case of individual contracts the length of contract will reflect individual needs.