HC Deb 23 May 1977 vol 932 cc992-3
5. Mr. Moonman

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in theOfficial Reportdetails of the scales of services and facilities in Wales for the mentally sick and handicapped as compared with the rest of the United Kingdom.

The Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Barry Jones)

Information relating to Wales is already published in "Health and Personal Social Services Statistics for Wales" and the "Digest of Welsh Statistics". Key indicators can be found in "Regional Statistics No. 12". All these documents are in the Library. More comprehensive information for Wales will be contained in "Hospital Psychiatric Services for Wales", the first issue of which will be available in July. A copy of this will also be placed in the Library.

Mr. Moonman

I am grateful for the bibliography. Does my hon. Friend appreciate that the all-party parliamentary committee on mental health is deeply concerned that there are gaps in the services throughout the country, including Wales? Has my hon. Friend taken the opportunity of discussing these matters in Wales with the Secretary of State for Social Services? If so, what has been the outcome?

Mr. Barry Jones

In the Welsh Office we are deeply concerned about the future of services for the handicapped and the mentally ill. I can assure my hon. Friend that I am never slow to ram home the message when I meet the area health authority chairmen every month in Wales. This sector of our hospital community must have more and more resources and more and more of our time.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

However concerned the hon. Gentleman may be, will he explain why the White Paper "Better Services for the Mentally Ill" does not apply to Wales? When can we expect initiatives from his Department in place of the White Paper?

Mr. Barry Jones

Why should the Welsh Office not have policies that are separate and different from England from time to time? My right hon. and learned Friend has already indicated his priority. Only last month he gave £200,000 for the mentally ill and handicapped, most of which has gone into West Wales at St. David's Hospital.