§ 42. Mr. Hannamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many mentally handicapped children were in hospital in 1970 and at the latest date for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe latest date for which provisional figures are available is 31 December 1980, when there were 2,421 children under 16 in mental handicap hospitals and units. The corresponding figure in 1970 was about 6,700.
§ 41. Sir Nicholas Bonsorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what response he has had to the guidelines and circular to health and local authorities on the steps being taken to remove handicapped children from large institutions.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergSince the guidelines and circular were issued on 26 November, the Department has received about 100 requests for copies of the guidelines and 10 inquiries from voluntary bodies interested in putting forward projects under the scheme.