§ 3. Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he is satisfied with the liaison between area health authorities and local authorities in Wales through the joint consultative councils.
§ Mr. Barry JonesIn general, yes.
§ Mr. ThomasIs the Minister aware that the Department of Health and Social Security in England has recently produced a consultative circular about joint care planning? Is it not time that the Welsh Office produced a similar circular, to ensure the joint financing of projects that will particularly benefit services to the mentally ill in Wales?
§ Mr. Barry JonesThe fact that the Department of Health and Social Security does something does not mean the Welsh Office must do it. We are considering the question of joint financing between area health authorities and the county councils in the development of personal social services, but my right hon. and learned Friend has not yet reached a decision. Any sensible proposals will 5 be looked at carefully, subject to the availability of finance.
§ Mr. HoosonHas the Welsh Office considered the possibility of bringing the administration of health services under one of the elected authorities—either district or county councils—and leaving district hospitals under the Assembly? Does he agree that, instead of having social services under one council and health services under another, it would be very much better to have them both under one authority?
§ Mr. Barry JonesI am always interested in such suggestions, but it seems that the Welsh Assembly will be in existence in a very few years, and the hon. and learned Gentleman may agree that at this moment the best thing would be not to reorganise the service again but to bear in mind the creation of the Assembly.