§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many reports he has received from the Social Services Inspectorate about the implementation of circular HSC 1999/162: LAC (99) 28; and how many of these reports indicate that the circular is not being properly implemented. [119862]
§ Mr. HuttonNo formal reports have been received. However, the Social Services Inspectorate regularly undertakes detailed assessment of local social service authorities' performance including services for learning disabled people. In addition, a survey of the use of the Direction on Choice to which the circular refers was carried out in 1998 and this was followed up by a series of regional seminars in the summer of 1999 to disseminate the lessons learned. We are also developing a national learning disability strategy to be launched later this year which will aim to eliminate inconsistencies in service delivery.