HC Deb 17 October 1996 vol 282 cc1082-3W
Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements are in place in(a) Blaenau Gwent and (b) Wales generally to support school leavers with physical disabilities with day care facilities. [41299]

Mr. Jonathan Evans

There were seven day centres in Blaenau Gwent in 1995—the latest year for which figures are available—offering a total of 600 places for mixed groups. The number of places specifically available to people with a physical disability was not reported.

In Wales as a whole, there were 249 day centres offering 2,500 places per week for people with physical disabilities and 5,300 for mixed groups which may include physically disabled people.

Mr. Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will investigate the adequacy of the application of the all-Wales strategy for support for those with severe disabilities in Blaenau Gwent. [41301]

Mr. Evans

We have no plans to undertake an investigation of Blaenau Gwent's discharge of its social services functions. The Welsh Office will be receiving the normal monitoring information on the authority's use of the mental handicap strategy funding.

Mr. Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the arrangement in place under the new unitary authorities in Wales for the application of the all-Wales strategy for care of the disabled. [41303]

Mr. Evans

Social Services Inspectorate Wales has published a report entitled "Local Government Reorganisation Personal Social Services Monitoring Exercise: Overview Report" a copy of which is in the Library of the House. The Welsh Office has met all the unitary authorities to discuss their arrangements for discharging their social services functions.

Mr. Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average waiting period for local authorities in Wales to provide funding allocation for severely handicapped school leavers under the all-Wales strategy. [41300]

Mr. Evans

This information is not held centrally. Local authorities have the responsibility for the planning and commissioning of community care, including care and support for school leavers. This includes care and support for individuals with a learning disability and funding allocated to authorities under the mental handicap strategy.

Mr. Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what review he has made of the home care provisions for the handicapped in Wales. [41302]

Mr. Evans

Local authorities are responsible for arranging community care services, including domiciliary care, to meet local needs. They are required to publish social care plans each year for the provision of community care services in their area.