asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he intends to continue to implement the provision of section 1 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970; and what steps he is taking to maintain the work of OUTSET despite the severe reduction in Manpower Services Commission expenditure.

The implementation of the section is a matter for the individual local authority. The Department is in touch with OUTSET about the continuation of the grant towards the cost of its headquarter expenses, but no decision has yet been reached.