HC Deb 20 March 2000 vol 346 cc430-1W
Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from Age Concern, the British Pensioners and Trade Union Action Association and other interested parties in relation to the report from the Royal Commission on long-term care for the elderly. [115304]

Mr. Hutton

A large number of representations to the Government on a variety of issues refer to long-term care. There have been 980 letters to the Department specifically focused on the Royal Commission's report. Many of the representations have broadly supported the recommendations in the Royal Commission's majority report; others have been critical and some have put forward alternative proposals.

Representatives of Age Concern have spoken to Ministers and officials on numerous occasions on Royal Commission issues.

We have received one representation from the British Pensioners and Trade Union Action Association. The East Grinstead and District branch collected 85 signatures on a petition which called for the end to means-testing of local authority funding of placements in residential care homes and nursing homes.

Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the report of the Royal Commission on long-term care for the elderly. [115303]

Mr. Hutton

We have had frequent discussions with ministerial colleagues in the Department and in other Departments on the issues covered by the Royal Commission on long-term care.

Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what conclusions he has drawn concerning the report from the Royal Commission on long-term care for the elderly. [115302]

Mr. Hutton

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 2 December that the Government were broadly accepting one of the Royal Commission's main recommendations by establishing a National Care Standards Commission. We are also implementing several of the Royal Commission's other recommendations—such as extending direct payments to people over 65. We are looking at other changes as part of the Year 2000 Spending Review, which will be completed this summer. We will then publish a White Paper.