§ Mr. Croninasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what reductions he anticipates in the nursing staffs of psychiatric hospitals by the end of 1978;
(2) what reductions he anticipates in the nursing staffs of geriatric hospitals by the end of 1978.
§ Mr. MoyleI do not anticipate any general reduction in the staffing of hospitals for the mentally ill and the elderly by the end of 1978. Health authorities are responsible for setting their own nursing establishments and the staffing of individual hospitals could vary over this period. But nationally our consultative document "Priorities for Health and Per-378W sonal Social Services in England "recommends improved staffing ratios in hospitals for the mentally ill and improved services for the elderly. The present emphasis on caring for more people in the community may, of course, affect the staffing position in these sectors.