To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement as to the procedures to be followed in respect of an at-risk person resident within a borough that has already spent its care in the community budget before a full assessment has been made of the person's health to ensure the protection of the welfare of that person.

The assessment of health needs and the provision of health services remain the responsibilities of health authorities. All local authorities are receiving special transitional grants which will enable them to meet their new community care responsibilities; the grants represent only a proportion of any authority's personal social services resources. It is for local authorities to set priorities and manage their resources sensibly.