§ Mr. WicksTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what extra resources he is making available to social services departments towards the implementation of the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995; [17546]
(2) what estimates he has made of the cost in 1996–97 of (a) carers' assessments and (b) consequential extra support services under the provisions of the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995. [17548]
§ Mr. BowisThe Act should not involve significant extra costs. It enshrines in statute many of the principles of good practice which we had recommended local authorities follow.