§ Mr. Alan Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will make a statement on the decision of her Department to cancel the projected extension of St. George's Training Centre, Plymouth.
§ Dr. OwenNo decision has been made by my Department to cancel this project. It was originally programmed by Plymouth CB for 1972–73 but was, I gather, delayed because of questions 87W raised by the previous Government about the high total cost.
It is for Devon County Council to decide what priority it attaches to this project for its social services building programme for 1975–76. I will of course consider any such application sympathetically. I am well aware of the strong feeling of many people in the area over this project and the Government have already announced their intention, despite the severe financial restraints, to restore the planned financial target figures set out in "Better Services for the Mentally Handicapped".