HL Deb 02 March 1976 vol 368 cc996-7WA
Lord AVEBURY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the number of places provided in hostels for the mentally subnormal and mentally ill respectively in England and Wales and in Greater London separately, and what plans the Government have to expand this provision.

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

There were 11,400 places available on 31st March 1975 to local authorities in England and Wales in homes and hostels for the mentally handicapped and 4,800 in homes and hostels for the mentally ill. Of these 2,400and 1,600 respectively were in Greater London. The figures include places in hospital, voluntary and private homes as well as local authority establishments.

A long-term strategy for increasing this provision was described in the White Papers Better Services for the Mentally Handicapped (Cmnd. 4683) and Better Services for the Mentally Ill (Cmnd. 6233), but the rate of improvement must depend on the overall level of resources available and the priority that can be afforded these services in relation to other pressing needs.