§ 25. Mr. Ellisasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many private boarding houses in North Wales now cater for patients discharged from the North Wales Hospital for mentally disordered people; and how many are registered with the county authorities.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattEighteen, of which five have been registered.
§ Mr. EllisIs the Minister of State aware that it has been the policy of local authorities in North Wales to secure the registration of these boarding houses and that this policy, which was beginning to bear fruit, as the figures show, is being jeopardised by the absurd ruling of the Department of Health and Social Security that the allowances paid to each patient are reduced by approximately £2 per week when the houses are registered? Will the hon. Gentleman look into the matter and consult his colleague with a view to preventing a very successful and promising development from being jeopardised?
§ Mr. Gibson-WattYes, Sir.