§ 29. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Minister of Health how far his acceptance of the main principles of the Report of the Royal Commission on the Law relating to Mental Illness and Mental Deficiency includes the recommendation that community care in its widest sense shall be the function of local health authorities and that such duties shall be statutorily imposed upon them.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThis is one of the principles that is fully accepted; but whether anything would be gained by extending the statuory duties of local authorities is a matter that will require consideration.
§ Mr. RobinsonWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman say what funds it is proposed to make available to the local authorities to carry out this work? Does he realise that, in the absence of adequate financial provision—which will have to be considerable—there might even have to be a reduction in the community provision for the mentally sick on what is being done at the moment?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI have in mind, as have my right hon. Friends, that the 832 expansion of staff and accommodation which would be necessary to put all these recommendations into effect would call for additional finance. That is the matter which we would have to consider in the light both of the recommendations and of the general requirements of the economic situation.