§ 15. Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the report on 1367 services for the elderly with mental disorder in Scotland—the Timbury Report—has not been published; and whether he intervened to delay its publication.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Russell Fairgrieve)The report on services for the elderly with mental disability in Scotland was published by HMSO on Monday 18 June this year. There has been no intervention to delay publication.
§ Mr. FoulkesI am glad that we have reached this question. It justifies the presence of the Under-Secretary of State. Perhaps he might add to his reply by explaining why the Government have departed from their usual procedure, and that of previous Governments, by not issuing this report to the press and the public. Is the report being covered up in view of the scandalous situation that it reveals of services for the elderly with mental disability and the fact that the cuts in public expenditure proposed by the Government are totally at variance with what is proposed in the report—which is greatly increased public expenditure for this group?
§ Mr. FairgrieveThe report is now available for anyone who wishes to read it. There was no delay by the Government. I gave permission for the report to be published on 31 May, without commitment. The hon. Gentleman must realise that the implementation of this report would cost a great deal of money.
§ Mr. MylesDoes my hon. Friend agree that the only way in which we may support and help the services to the mentally handicapped and the elderly is by improving the wealth of the country?
§ Mr. FairgrieveI agree with my hon. Friend. If this country wants the services that European countries now have, we must have the same productivity as they have in Europe.