§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (I) how many mentally handicapped children remain in long-stay hospitals;
(2) when he expects his Department's information paper on mentally handicapped children in long-stay hospitals to be published;
(3) if he will set a date for letting all mentally handicapped children out of long-stay hospitals and into appropriate community facilities; and if he will make a statement;
(4) if he will meet representations from Exodus, the organisation pressing to bring mentally handicapped children out of long-stay hospitals; and if he will make a statement;
(5) when he last consulted with regional health authority chairmen about transferring all mentally handicapped children from long-stay hospitals to the community; and what conclusions were reached;
(6) how many mentally handicapped children have been transfered from long-stay hospitals to the community in each of the last seven years; and if he is satisfied that adequate community provision has been made for them.
§ Mrs. CurrieI shall let the right hon. Member have replies as soon as possible.