§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will extend the period of consultation on the national required standards for residential and nursing homes; [98752]
(2) what representations he has received regarding the length of the consultation period on the national required standards for residential care. [98751]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 22 November 1999]: To date the Department has received letters from fewer than 20 people and organisations about the formal consultation period, all suggesting that the period should be extended.
The high demand for copies of the consultation document, "Fit for the Future?" led to stocks being exhausted as well as to a backlog of requests. As a result, we decided to order additional copies of "Fit for the Future?" which are now available. A letter will be sent with these copies giving recipients until 21 January to comment on the consultation document.