§ Mr. Welshasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what Government help is given to assist private individuals in meeting the costs of speech therapy provision for mentally handicapped children when this is unobtainable through public means.
§ Mr. Harry EwingIt is the responsibility of the health authorities to provide this service and they have no power to reimburse the cost of private treatment. I have written to the hon. Member on the particular case he has in mind.
§ Mr. Welshasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what figures he has to show the number of places available in each of the Tayside districts for speech therapy treatment to mentally handicapped children; what present and planned moneys have been allocated for this purpose; and what estimates he has of demand for such facilities as compared with its provision.
§ Mr. Harry EwingAt September 1977—the last date for which figures are available—Tayside Health Board employed 26 (whole-time equivalent) speech therapists. Information is not held centrally on the number of patients of 785W different kinds who can be treated or on detailed local assessment of need and allocation of funds. I understand that the health board has written to the hon. Member on these points.