§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to monitor the duties of local authorities in implementing the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000; [14004]
(2) what research he has commissioned into the implementation of the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000; [14003]
(3) if he will make a statement about the duties of local authorities in implementing the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000. [14008]
§ Jacqui SmithThe provisions in the Act relating to assessment, carer services, and direct payments for disabled 16 and 17-year-olds, carers and people with parental responsibility for disabled children came into force in England in April. The provisions relating to vouchers are planned to come into force in April 2002. The social services inspectorate monitors the performance of local authority social services departments. The Department also has regular contact with voluntary organisations who are able to share their local knowledge about the delivery of services to carers. We will be considering the nature of the research which we should commission when the voucher system comes into force. The implementation of the Act in Wales is a matter for the National Assembly of Wales.