§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the number of hospitals for the mentally handicapped which have either closed down or have had a reduction in staff manpower in the west midlands region in each single year since 1979.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeNo hospitals for the mentally handicapped have been approved for complete closure in the west midlands region since 1979. Information on the number of staff employed in such hospitals for the period 1979 to 1982 can be found in the publications, "The Facilities and Services of Mental Illness and Mental Handicap Hospitals in England", copies of which are in the Library. For more recent information, the hon. Member may wish to write to the chairman of the West Midlands regional health authority.