HC Deb 16 March 1971 vol 813 cc275-6W
71. Mr. Weitzman

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has required from local health authorities, which are empowered to provide chiropody services, information as to the

Mr. Alison

Only about 6 per cent. of mentally handicapped patients in hospital are compulsorily detained. Recent surveys in two areas suggest that about a third to a half of all those in hospital might be discharged if there were appropriate services elsewhere. There is necessarily a subjective element in such surveys and it would be unwise to estimate a national figure from such limited data.