§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many people, since the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990, are known to have deliberately deprived themselves by transferring their assets; and what action was taken against them under section 21 of the Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudication Act 1983; [1129]
(2) what plans he has to strengthen the law with respect to the deliberate transfer of assets. [1130]
§ Mr. BowisInformation on numbers of people who have deliberately deprived themselves of assets for the purposes of reducing their contribution towards the cost of residential accommodation, and any action taken against them under section 21 of the Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudication Act is not available centrally.
The legislation relating to charging for residential accommodation, including the deprivation of assets, is kept under constant review.
§ Mr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement clarifying the role of the state and the individual in paying for long-term care; and if he will make that information widely available to the elderly. [1134]
§ Mr. BowisThe role of the state and the individual in paying for residential care is as laid down by the Government of 1948 in their National Assistance Act.