§ Mr. BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what plans there are to introduce a standard method by which local authorities can determine equitable hourly rates for care costs for independent living 1993 fund claimants, and if he will make a statement;
(2) what training is received by staff working in local authority social services departments for assessing the eligibility of independent living 1993 fund claimants to personal assistance packages; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottIt is for local authorities to develop adequate training for their staff, and accurate methods for costing40W services. I understand that the director of the independent living 1993 fund continues to discuss with the Association of Directors of Social Services and others further ways in which they can be helped to do so.
§ Mr. BradleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications to the independent living 1993 fund have been turned down as a result of the failure of a local authority to provide the required £200 worth of services a week.
§ Mr. ScottI am informed by the director of the Independent Living (1993) Fund that, in the first full year of operation, 105 applications were rejected for this reason.