§ 8. Mr. Adam Hunterasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give an estimate of the demand for the provision of day centres for severely mentally handicapped children in the county of Fife.
§ Mr. MonroThe local authorities concerned are in the best position to estimate local requirements, but about 20 places per 100,000 population are needed in a typical area.
§ Mr. HunterI thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply. The indication in my part of Fife is that there is great demand for these services. Is he aware that doubt exists as to which organisation 1239 should be responsible for the services—the hospital authorities or the social work department? Does he intend in the near future to allocate funds to social work departments to provide day centres?
§ Mr. MonroI expect shortly to issue to local authorities a circular of guidance on services and facilities required for the mentally handicapped. This will include an indication of the scale of provision of day care centres regarded as desirable. I am sure that the local authorities in general will be willing to shoulder their responsibilities to meet local needs of this kind. There is a rapid increase in expenditure by the social works services and this is, of course, eligible for rate support grant.