§ Mr. Moonmanasked the Minister of Health (1) in view of the fact that environmental conditions influence mental breakdowns, in particular relapses, what plans he has for special resources to be applied to the depressed areas;
(2) if he will seek to provide special financial help for those areas with greatly above average incidence of mental illness.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonApart from housing, for which direct Exchequer subsidies are made, practically all expenditure by local authorities including expenditure on health and welfare and environmental services, is assisted by the Exchequer through Rate Support Grants which are distributed by reference to factors reflecting the general needs and resources of different areas. I have no evidence that under these arrangements provision of services for the mentally ill imposes an undue burden on particular authorities and I have no plans to seek power to make special grants.