§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he will urge the Derbyshire County Council to speed up plans for improving day-care facilities for mentally handicapped people;
(2) how many day-care centres for the mentally handicapped at present exist in Derbyshire; and how many new ones are proposed this year and how many in 1972–73, 1973–74 and 1974–75.
§ Mr. AlisonDerby County Borough Council have one Adult Training Centre with 90 places and a further Centre with 100 places is planned for 1973–74. Derbyshire County Council provide 10 Adult Training Centres with 561 places and their present plans envisage starting two more Centres with 220 places in the current year. I understand that in reviewing their plans for training and residential services for the mentally handicapped they will be considering whether additional places are needed for those who are unable to join in the normal training programme at such centres.
We are anxious that the drive to improve these services for which allowance has been made for substantially increased capital and revenue expenditure, should continue to gain impetus, and will watch closely the plans of these and other authorities.
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§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals he has to improve the existing facilities for the mentally handicapped in the County of Derbyshire.
§ Mr. AlisonThe Regional Hospital Board plan to continue their programme of improvements to the existing hospitals and to provide new facilities at centres of population in the county; their plans for Nottingham will, when implemented, also relieve pressure on the Derbyshire hospitals.
I am answering other Questions from the hon. Member on the local authorities services.