§ 98. Mr. Hoosonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what surveys have been undertaken in recent times of the conditions under which mentally handicapped adults and children are cared for; and whether it is intended to publish reports of such surveys.
§ Sir K. JosephAll regional hospital boards have surveyed conditions in their own hospitals for the purpose of working out improvement programmes, not for publication. Information about facilities and services in hospitals is also collected annually by my Department and published in its Statistical Report Series. Since February, 1970, the Hospital Advisory Service has visited hospitals for the mentally handicapped in 11 hospital regions; reports on these visits are not for publication but general comments will be included in the Director's Annual Report, which will be published. A recent census of residential accommodation provided by local authorities and voluntary homes will provide information on the mentally handicapped in such accommodation, and a report will be published. A number of people, some sponsored by my Department, have also undertaken research studies, publication of which is normally a matter for the individual concerned.