HC Deb 29 February 1988 vol 128 c650
16. Mr. Livsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on arrangements for the provision of psychiatric hospital treatment in Powys.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Ian Grist)

The provision of psychiatric hospital treatment in Powys is a matter for the Powys health authority in the first instance.

Mr. Livsey

Does the Minister agree that because of the present enlightened conditions in psychiatric hospitals patients are far better treated there than in the community? Will he insists that Powys health authority keeps the same number of beds in the Mid Wales hospital at Talgarth as it has now?

Mr. Grist

On the latter part of the hon. Gentleman's question, that must be a matter for the local health authority. On the first part, he must await the Welsh Office mental illness strategy, which will be published soon.