HC Deb 16 April 1969 vol 781 cc272-3W
Mr. Whitaker

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many places are available in small half-way house units for convalescing mental patients and slightly subnormal cases compared with five years ago; and what proposals he has for their increase, in order to reduce the pressure on hospitals.

Mr. Grossman

At 31st December, 1968, there were 5,727 places in hostels for the mentally ill and mentally subnormal in England and Wales compared with 1,820 at 31st December, 1963. Local authtorities plan to provide some 16,500 hostel places by 1976.