HC Deb 29 June 1976 vol 914 cc138-9W
Mrs. Bain

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions in the last five years central Government have refused (a) permission and (b) financial support for the provision of adult training centres and hostels for the mentally handicapped; and if he will list the projects thus affected.

Mr. McElhone

The following projects in the field of mental handicap proposed by local authorities for the 1976–77 programme have had to be deferred; previously deferrals on financial grounds had not been necessary.

Fife

  • Senior Training Centre—Kirkcaldy.
  • Senior Training Centre—Methil.
  • Senior Training Centre—Glenrothes.
  • Senior Training Centre—Halbeath.

Grampian

  • Senior Training Centre—Inverurie.
  • Senior Training Centre—Stonehaven.

Highland

  • Hostel—Inverness.
  • Hostel—Sutherland.
  • Hostel—Dingwall.
  • Hostel—Fort William.
  • Senior Training Centre—Fort William.

Lothians

  • Senior Training Centre—Clermiston.

Tayside

  • Senior Training Centre—Forfar
  • Senior Training Centre—Perth.

Western Isles

  • Senior Training Centre/Hostel—Stornoway.

As some of these projects were at a fairly early planning stage it is by no means certain that building work on all of them would have started in the current year.

There is no direct central Government financial assistance towards the cost of local authority social work building projects.

Mrs. Bain

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to ensure that the programme planning group relating to the care of the mentally disordered can be given the same powers as the National Development Group in England and Wales, thus ensuring that the Scottish Office and the general public

Rate Support Grants prescribed in Main Order Rate Support Grants at November 1975 values
Price base £m. £m.
1972–73 … … November 1970 … … 256.10* 491.71
1973–74 … … November 1972 … … 350.07* 571.66
1974–75 … … November 1973 … … 412.02 609.79
1975–76 … … November 1974 … … 632.98† 792.48
1976–77 … … November 1975 … … 822.70 822.70
* Excluding rate support in respect of local health services transferred to health boards on 1st April 1974.
† Figure for 16th May 1975 to 15th May 1976 on which grant for period to 31st March 1976 was based.