HC Deb 13 December 1979 vol 975 c750W
Mr. Stephen Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many patients are at present living in (a) mental illness hospitals and (b) mental handicap hospitals who could be discharged if suitable residential accommodation was available within the community.

Sir George Young

It is for the responsible consultant to decide when a patient is suitable for discharge from a mental illness or mental handicap hospital to the community. Statistics concerning such patients are not held centrally.