asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects the White Paper on the elderly to be published.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects the White Paper on the elderly to be published.

The response to the discussion document "A Happier Old Age" has been overwhelming. About 1,000 detailed comments have been received so far, many of which represent the views of groups of elderly people. Some organisations have asked for an extension of the original deadline of the end of October in order that their comments can be as detailed as possible. I have decided to accede to that request. The closing date for submissions and comments is to be extended until 31st December 1987.For this reason, and because consideration of some of the points raised will take time, I do not now expect the White Paper to be published as early as had been originally intended.