Lord Forsyth of Drumlean (Con)

My Lords, the Minister is absolutely right about the problems for local authorities, which are spending some three-quarters of their budgets on social care, with the result that core services are being cut. She said that there is no consensus on this matter, but the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee produced a report that was accepted throughout the House and was unanimous in its position, like so many other reports that have been produced. Can the Minister admit that the problem is the Treasury and the cost, and the refusal to understand that money spent on social care will mean less cost to and take the burden off the health service? I am afraid that kicking this into touch for three years with the noble Baroness, Lady Casey, is yet another example of the Treasury playing for time and not being prepared to face up to the realities facing the most vulnerable and elderly people in our country.