HC Deb 25 July 1978 vol 954 cc718-22W
Mr. Moonman

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what plans exist for developing more sheltered communities such as Somerset Court, High-bridge Somerset and Raby Hall, Wirral which plan to provide life long care for the autistic mentally handicapped;

(2) in the area of Wessex Regional Health Authority (a) what provision is being made for the special needs of the autistic adolescents aged from 16 years onwards, (b) what plans exist for the provision of hostel accommodation for the autistic mentally handicapped, and (c) what plans exist for the development of training facilities in special workshops for autistic adolescent and adults;

(3) in the area of Oxford Regional Health Authority (a) what provision is being made for the special needs of the autistic adolescent aged from 16 years onwards, (b) what plans exist for the provision of hostel accommodation for the autistic mentally handicapped, and (c) what plans exist for the development of training facilities in special workshops for autistic adolescents and adults;

(4) in the area of South-Western Regional Health Authority (a) what provision is being made for the special needs of the autistic adolescent aged from 16 years onwards, (b) what plans exist for the provision of hostel accommodation for the autistic mentally handicapped, and (c) what plans exist for the development of training facilities in special workshops for autistic adolescents and adults.

Mr. Cowan

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in the area of Northern Regional Health Authority (a) what provision is being made for the special needs of autistic adolescents of 16 years onwards, (b) what plans exist for the provision of hostel accommodation for the autistic mentally handicapped, and (c) what plans exist for the development of training facilities in special workshops for autistic adolescents and adults.

Mr. James Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in the area of Yorkshire Regional Health Authority (a) what provision is being made for the special needs of autistic adolescents of 16 years onwards, (b) what plans exist for the provision of hostel accommodation for the autistic mentally handicapped, and (c) what plans exist for the development of training facilities in special workshops for autistic adolescents and adults.

Mr. Forrester

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in the area of Trent Regional Health Authority (a) what provision is being made for the special needs of autistic adolescents for 16 years onwards, (b) what plans exist for the provision of hostel accommodation for the autistic mentally handicapped, and (c) what plans exist for the development of training facilities in special workshops for autistic adolescents and adults.

Mr. Weetch

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in the area of East Anglia Regional Health Authority (a) what provision is being made for the special needs of autistic adolescents of 16 years onwards, (b) what plans exist for the provision of hostel accommodation for the autistic mentally handicapped, and (c) what plans exist for the development of training facilities in special workshops for autistic adolescents and adults.

Mr. Alan Lee Williams

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) in the area of North-West Thames Regional Health Authority (a) what provision is being made for the special needs of the autistic adolescents aged from 16 years onwards, (b) what plans exist for the provision of hostel accommodation for the autistic mentally handicapped, and (c) what plans exist for the development of training facilities in special workshops for autistic adolescents and adults;

(2) in the area of the North-East Thames Regional Health Authority (a) what provision is being made for the special needs of the autistic adolescents aged from 16 years onwards, (b) what plans exist for the provision of hostel accommodation for the autistic mentally handicapped, and (c) what plans exist for the development of training facilities in special workshops for autistic adolescents and adults.

Mr. Russell Kerr

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) in the area of South-West Thames Regional Health Authority (a) what provision is being made for the special needs of the autistic adolescents aged from 16 years onwards, (b) what plans exist for the provision of hostel accommodation for the autistic mentally handicapped, and (c) what plans exist for the development of training facilities in special workshops for autistic adolescents and adults;

(2) in the area of South-East Thames Regional Health Authority (a) what provision is being made for the special needs of the autistic adolescents aged from 16 years onwards, (b) what plans exist for the provision of hostel accommodation for the autistic mentally handicapped, and (c) what plans exist for the development of training facilities in special workshops for autistic adolescents and adults.

Mr. Hal Miller

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in the area of West Midlands Regional Health Authority (a) what provision is being made for the special needs of the autistic adolescent aged from 16 years onwards, (b) what plans exist for the provision of hostel accommodation for the autistic mentally handicapped, and (c) what plans exist for the development of training facilities in special workshops for autistic adolescents and adults.

Mr. Steen

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in the area of Mersey Regional Health Authority (a) what provision is being made for the special needs of the autistic adolescent aged from 16 years onwards, (b) what plans exist for the provision of hostel accommodation for the autistic mentally handicapped, and (c) what plans exist for the development of training facilities in special workshops for autistic adolescents and adults.

Mr. Ronald Atkins

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in the area of North-Western Regional Health Authority (a) what provision is being made for the special needs of the autistic adolescent aged from 16 years onwards, (b) what plans exist for the provision of hostel accommodation for the autistic mentally handicapped, and (c) what plans exist for the development of training facilities in special workshops for autistic adolescents and adults.

Mr. Moyle

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 13th June 1978; Vol. 951, c. 440–3], gave the following information:

The information collected confirms that most health and social services do not provide, or plan to provide, special facilities for autistic adolescents and adults, such facilities being generally regarded as part of provision for the mentally handicapped or, more rarely, the mentally ill. The only accommodation or training facilities provided by health authorities or social services departments exclusively for autistic adolescents or adults is a 14-bed ward in Leavesden Hospital, Hertfordshire, for adolescent males aged 16–24 years who are also severely mentally handicapped. Some local authorities support placements in Somerset Court or Raby Hall or offer other support for voluntary provision.