§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on meals on wheels by each authority in each of the last 10 years, expressed in 1995 prices. [25764]
§ Mr. BowisThe information, expressed in 1994–95 prices, will be placed in the Library. The figures should be treated with caution as local authorities differ from year to year in their respective treatment of administrative and other overhead costs. Year-on-year variations may also relied changes in type or method of meal service and changes of contract. New guidelines for future social services accounting have been drawn up by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accounting and the local authorities, which should result in greater consistency.