To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in what circumstances local authorities, in assessing ability to pay for domiciliary services which do not include personal care, (a) should discount attendance allowance benefit and (b) have discretion to exclude from consideration attendance allowance benefit. [17917]

Local authorities in Scotland have similar powers to charge for domiciliary services to those which apply in England. I therefore refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for Health on 17 November 1997, Official Report, column 63.