§ 40. Mr. Michael Spicerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the fact that less than 10 per cent. of the money allocated by his Department to regional health authorities for expenditure on regional secure units for mentally ill patients has been spent on the purpose for which it was allocated.
§ Mr. MoyleI ought to make it clear that capital funds for regional secure unit schemes have not been allocated in468W advance. The necessary funds—estimated eventually to total £14 million at 1975 prices—will be made available to individual regional health authorities each year as estimates are approved. No permanent units have yet been built and capital expenditure has so far been incurred only on interim units and on preliminary fees in connection with the permanent units now in planning.
Revenue funds, amounting to £5.2 million in all at 1976–77 prices, have, however, been allocated to health authorities in advance. The allocations were first made in 1976–77 and are adjusted each year to take account of price rises. They are made on an annual recurring basis as part of health authorities' general revenue allocations. It was recognised that it would be difficult for most regions to provide secure facilities immediately and, where it has not been possible to use all of the special allocations either for secure units or for interim secure arrangements, regional health authorities have been urged to make good use of these funds for other short-term projects, and as far as possible on services for the mentally ill. It has been emphasised that use of the allocations for other purposes must be strictly on a temporary basis, so that they can be used for the purpose intended as soon as this becomes practicable.
It would be unrealistic not to accept that it will be some time before every region has a secure unit in full operation. I am, however, asking regional health authorities for a report on how their special revenue allocations were spent in 1977–78 and will be considering whether any change in the present arrangements is necessary.