To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many lay assessors to the Social Services Inspectorate were in place in March 2002; how many are working now; and which local authorities use them.[108998]

In March 2002, the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) had a pool of 84 trained lay assessors available for deployment in appropriate inspections. In March 2003, the number was 77. Local authorities do not themselves use these lay assessors; they are deployed by the SSI, with the agreement of the local authority being inspected.