§ Mr. Nigel EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list(a) the number of persons currently in local authority-run residential care homes, (b) the average cost per person per week of residential care in local authority homes and (c) the average cost per person per week of residential care in independent sector homes for each local authority social services department in England. [4280]
§ Mr. BurnsInformation on numbers of residents in local authority run staffed residential care homes at 31 March 1995 can be found in "Residential702W Accommodation: Detailed statistics on residential care homes and local authority supported residents England 1995", copies of which are available in the Library. It is planned to publish figures for 31 March 1996 in the week commencing 25 November. The latest information on the weekly costs of residential care in local authority and independent staffed homes for older people, for 1994–95, can be found in Table Ul of "Key Indicators of local authority social services 1996"; copies of which are also available in the Library.
§ Sir Andrew BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to consult(a) user groups and (b) voluntary organisations in respect of proposed legislation on long-term care. [5146]
§ Mr. BurnsDraft legislation to establish a partnership scheme will be issued for consultation in the new year. In the meantime officials are consulting informally with major client group interests as well as the insurance industry and local authority representatives.