§ Mr. Litterickasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what level of
828WOrmskirk, St. Helens and Knowsley and Wigan Health Authority areas, respectively; what facilities exist in these areas for those classed as geriatrics who need psychiatric treatment; how many are on the waiting list, in each speciality, in these areas, respectively; and what action is being taken, or planned, to reduce the waiting time.
§ Mr. MoyleDevelopments being undertaken which will have the effect of reducing waiting times include the provision of a 56-bed—50-place day unit for the elderly severely mentally infirm and an 80-place day unit for mentally ill patients, planned to commence in 1978–79 in Ormskirk; the opening of a new 56bed—50-place day unit for the elderly severely mentally infirm at Leigh in Wigan in 1977 and a geriatric unit of 28 beds and 50 day places at Wheelley, Wigan Area Health Authority, in 1979–80; and in St. Helens and Knowsley area, a programme of rationalising and redesignating available medical beds.
Information on the present position is set out below:
long-term and short-term unemployment is assumed for 1977–78 in the calculations of the level of national insurance contributions required to enable the National Insurance Fund to meet its expected commitments for that year; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. OrmeI refer my hon. Friend to paragraph 6 of the Report by the Government Actuary on the draft of the Social Security (Contributions, Re-rating) Order 1976 (Cmnd. 6688).