§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the organisations undertaking functions similar to those provided by the Relatives and Residents Association which are supported by his Department; [37728]
(2) for what reason his Department has not granted further funding to the Relatives and Residents Association. [37760]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 27 February 2002]: Of the organisations that take a particular interest in the care of older people in residential care or nursing homes, three were successful in bidding for funding through the 2001–02 round of the Department's section 64 General Scheme of Grants. They are Action on Elder Abuse, Counsel and Care and Help the Aged.
The Department has not refused the Relatives and Residents Association further section 64 funding for 2002–03 as applications from the association are currently being considered.
Since 1996–97, the association has received over £500,000 of section 64 funding. The association's application for section 64 funding in 2001–02 was unsuccessful principally because of competition from other high quality applications.