§ Sir D. Walker-Smithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether there is a prescribed ratio of staff to residents and a prescribed scale of accommodation for community centres serving as regional assessment centres; and if she 760W will review the question of staff and accommodation in the context of the need for economy in public expenditure.
§ Dr. OwenIt is for the local authorities who control observation and assessment centres to decide the ratio of staff to occupants. Although certain ratios have been mentioned in the context of future planning, no specific guidance has been given by the Department. We are, however, always willing to advise in individual cases. The number of observation and assessment centres and the number of places they provide are also determined by the local authorities, through the regional planning machinery and embodied in regional plans. Consideration is currently being given to proposals for revising the existing regional plans, which were approved in 1973. Many existing centres are badly placed for the areas they serve and this is one of the factors to be taken into account when the plans are revised. I am sure that authorities keep their staffing and accommodation needs continuously under review and are fully aware of the need for economy in public expenditure.