To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) which are the (a) best and (b) worst performing councils in England in terms of their provision of assistance with aids and adaptations to people with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the performance of Luton borough council in this area; (75924)

The social services performance framework indicator AO/D54 sets out the percentage of items of equipment and adaptations delivered within seven working days. The most recent figures for 2004-05 indicate that Luton unitary authority is the highest performing council; and Surrey the lowest.

The figures for 2004-05 indicate that Luton unitary authority delivered 3,900 items of equipment and adaptations; the percentage of items of equipment and adaptations delivered within seven working days was 97.9 per cent. This was the highest percentage of any council for this period.

Information on the maximum and average amount of time that a person with a disability has had to wait for assessment and assistance with occupational aids and adaptations is not collected centrally.

It is for local social services departments to prioritise assessments for people with disabilities, based on need.