asked the Secretary of State for Social Services to which local authorities he has written concerning possible misunderstandings on their part of their duties under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970; what action has been taken as a result; and if he will make a statement.

My Department has been in touch with a large number of authorities about misunderstandings of their duties under the Act, but it is not practicable to identify them all since this is part of our ongoing exchange of information—not all of which is by correspondence—with local authorities. In all cases where authorities have been contacted, our purpose has been to ensure that they are fully aware of the legal requirements of the Act.