§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research her Department is undertaking into use by local authorities of the independent sector in their provision of community care services.
§ Mr. BowisLocal authority use of the independent sector is continuously monitored through regular statistics collected by the Department on residential accommodation and day and domiciliary services, which separately identify services provided by the independent sector.
The Department has also commissioned research on the mixed economy of care, which will look at local authority provision in all sectors.