§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has of the extent to which local authorities have used their discretion to increase the personal expenses allowance of a married person in long-term residential care to enable them to support their spouse remaining at home; on how many occasions this rule has been operated by a local authority because the whole of a resident's occupational pension has been used to pay for the costs of care; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. BowisThis information is not available centrally. The Government have reminded local authorities that they have discretion to vary the resident's personal expenses allowance to assist the spouse remaining at home.