§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, regarding payment of pocket money to psychiatric in-patients, which local hospital commit- 272W tees observe the same procedures as the Supplementary Benefits Commission in obtaining information about patients' financial resources; or what alternative procedures they use.
§ Sir K. JosephThere are no set procedures for hospital management committees. Hospital authorities may consult local social security offices, but rely in the main on information obtained from patients, their relatives or representatives.
§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what progress has so far been made towards the transfer of responsibility for payment of psychiatric in-patients' pocket money from the local hospital management committee to the Supplementary Benefits Commission; and, if no final decision has yet been made on this matter, when such a decision is to be expected.
§ Sir K. JosephI have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member on 6th December.—[Vol. 847, c.472.]