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Sir Norman Fowler: My hon. Friend is making an important point. Will he confirm and underline the fact that there is no Government requirement that £530,000 should be spent on Frances Withers home, by any regulation propagated by Government, by the year 1998?
Mr. Bowis: I can give that assurance. There is no such requirement to do so, by 1998 or any other date.
I have listened carefully to the points made by my right hon. Friend. I was particularly concerned to hear about the wait endured by the lady who was finally admitted to a home. If he would like to let me have further details of that case, I shall certainly look into it. I shall be asking the social services inspectorate to keep a close watch on the position in Birmingham and to report back to me as appropriate.
The council in Birmingham, the social services and we in government need to ensure that there is a coherent strategy in place that is flexible enough to take account of the wishes of local people, particularly the residents of local care homes. I hope that Birmingham councillors will consider carefully the fact that, if they cannot continue to run the home--for whatever reason--they must adequately consider the option of inviting the independent sector to take it on and keep it going. I think that that is what my right hon. Friend is asking for on behalf of his constituents. It seems to be a perfectly reasonable option, which should be considered by the city council.
Question put and agreed to.
6 Feb 1996 : Column 245Adjourned accordingly at fifteen minutes to Eleven o'clock.
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