§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when she will take steps to implement the Criminal Justice Act 1972 in respect of the provision of detoxification centres; and if she will give priority of provision to cities with high percentages of convictions for charges relating to drunkenness.
§ Dr. OwenAn experimental detoxification centre is being built at Withington Hospital, Manchester, and is expected to open in 1976. Schemes for centres at Birmingham, East and South-East London are under discussion. All these areas have a high percentage of convictions for charges relating to drunkenness. The proposed Advisory Committee on Alcoholism, soon to be set up, will have a 213W sub-group specially charged with the promotion of services for homeless alcoholics, among whom are most habitual drunken offenders