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Local Government and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

I thank the Secretary of State for giving way, but will she set the record straight in respect of an answer that she gave during the Department for Communities and Local Government Question Time of 16 October? Speaking of services for the elderly, she said that Manchester city council was"““a four-star local authority providing excellent services, with an excellent direction of travel.””—[Official Report, 16 October 2007; Vol. 464, c. 692.]" She went on to say that the contrast with Conservative councils such as Hammersmith and Fulham was ““absolutely obvious””. However, the facts are as follows: the Commission for Social Care Inspection ratings for adult social care gave Hammersmith and Fulham three stars and Manchester only two, while the Audit Commission's comprehensive performance assessment gave Hammersmith and Fulham four stars and Manchester three. Moreover, Hammersmith and Fulham achieved £1,813 in spending per head on the elderly, while Manchester city council managed only £1,419. Will the right hon. Lady set the record straight because, if she wants people to have confidence in her role, she must be fair on all councils of all parties?