HC Deb 14 November 1966 vol 736 cc32-3
50. Mr. Hilton

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the admission rate to mental hospitals within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets is 77 per cent. above the national average, and that this places a considerable strain on the resources of the local authority; and whether he will arrange for a special grant to be made.

Mr. K. Robinson

I am aware that the rate is above the national average, but this is not necessarily a measure of the demand for local authority mental health services. I have no power to make a special grant to the Council.

Mr. Hilton

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that if admissions to mental hospitals are 77 per cent. above the national average, this means that a very much greater proportion of the mental after-care work has to be borne out of local rate funds? It is unfair on a borough, with perhaps a smaller rate fund than others, if it has to tackle this problem. I ask my right hon. Friend to consider whether a special grant should be made in these cases.

Mr. Robinson

I have no powers to make a special grant. I do not accept my hon. Friend's figures. My information is that the admission rate is about 40 per cent. above the national average. I would point out to my hon. Friend that the Tower Hamlets Council is doing very well in this respect. Its expenditure per capita on mental health services is about 10 per cent. higher than the average for the country, and about 20 per cent. higher than the average for the London boroughs.

Mr. Hilton

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of my right hon. Friend's reply, I give notice that I intend to raise the matter on the Adjournment.