§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to ensure that all towns with a population in excess of 90,000 should have at least one hostel for mentally-handicapped children under the age of 16 years to help the child to become more dependent, and to give the parents respite.
§ Mr. AlisonLocal authorities already have a statutory duty to provide accommodation of this kind. Command Paper "Better Services for the Mentally Handicapped"—Cmnd. 4683—published last June suggested a need for 12 residential places for children under 16 years per 100,000 total population. Local authorities are now planning to expand their services on this basis.