§ Mr. JackTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on(a) the items on the agenda for discussions when members of the Social Services Inspectorate recently met Councillor Doreen Pollit and other representatives of Lancashire County Council, (b) the main points discussed, and (c) conclusions reached; and if those attending from Lancashire were instructed not to issue public comment on any or all of the items discussed. [111973]
§ Mr. HuttonAt my request, the Chief Inspector for Social Services met with councillors and chief officers of Lancashire County Council on 15 February. They discussed the key issues for Lancashire Social Services identified in the recently published social services inspectorate/ Audit Commission Joint Review Report and established the council's understanding of those issues and its ability to respond.
It was made clear to those attending the meeting that any decisions as to further action were for Ministers and, in the light of the Chief Inspector's assessment following the meeting, I have now written to Lancashire County Council requesting that they draw up an action plan 61W addressing the key issues identified in the joint report. This will be monitored regularly by the social services inspectorate.