§ 27. Mr. MacGregorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when she expects her detailed proposals for the first stage of phasing out of pay beds to be published; and what opportunity will be given for representations to be made on the details before they are finalised.
§ Mrs. CastleI have asked health authorities and others concerned to let me have by 7th April comments on the contents I have proposed for inclusion in a Bill, to be published before Easter, of a schedule of the 1,000 beds to be phased out within six months of Royal Assent. Consultation on the actual location of these beds will continue after publication of the Bill.
A copy of the proposed reductions and of my Department's letter of 27th February 1976 to health authorities is in the Library.