§ Mr. O'HaraTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the research conducted by Age Concern and RADAR into the performance of local authorities in meeting their duties to provide adaptations for older and disabled people. [86918]
§ Mr. RaynsfordI have read with interest the initial findings of the research undertaken by Age Concern and RADAR. We are currently consulting on "You and Your Services", a draft charter for long-term care, and would encourage Age Concern and RADAR in their response to consider how that charter could be used as a basis for setting targets for performance on housing adaptations. My Department is addressing other issues of local authority performance in this area in the work we are doing to develop the Best Value regime, and in our guidance to local authorities on the Housing Investment Programme. We will consider these issues further in the light of our consideration of the recent report by the Royal Commission on Long Term Care.
§ Mr. O'HaraTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to update the joint Department of Health and Department of the Environment Circular 10/90 (LAC (90)7) on house adaptations for people with disabilities. [86919]
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§ Mr. RaynsfordMy Department has no plans to update the Circular. It was replaced in December 1996 by a new Circular, Department of the Environment Circular 17/96, which contained guidance on changes made by the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 to local housing authorities' responsibilities. The parts of Circular 17/96 which updated Circular 10/90 were written in consultation with the Department of Health, and that Circular was sent to all local authorities, including those responsible for the provision of social services.