§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if sparsity allowance is included in the social services standard spending assessment of county councils; and if he will make a statement; [61829]
(2) if he will make a statement on the future levels of sparsity allowance for shire counties. [61830]
§ Ms ArmstrongMy right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister made a statement on 2 December 1998,Official Report, columns 883–901, about our proposals for Standard Spending Assessments for 1999–2000, including the allowances to be made for sparsity of population. These proposals include, for the first time, a sparsity allowance in the element of the Standard Spending Assessment for social services for the elderly in their own homes.