§ Mr. Croninasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what reduction he anticipates in the nursing staff of hospitals for the mentally subnormal by the end of 1978.
§ Mr. MoyleI do not anticipate any general reduction in the staffing of hospitals for the mentally handicapped 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 Personal Social Services in England" recommends improved staffing ratios in hospitals for the mentally handicapped. The present emphasis on caring for more people in the community may, of course, affect the staffing position in this sector. In the longer term, staffing in the field of mental handicap could be affected by the recommendations of a committee of inquiry under Mrs. Peggy Jay which is currently considering mental handicap nursing and care.