§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he hopes to issue the circular on prevention of inappropriate admission of mentally handicapped children to hospital for long-term care.
§ Mr. MoyleAs I said in my reply to my hon. Friend on 17th July 1978— [Vol. 954, c. 1071—a draft circular was sent to the local authority associations and other interested organisations on 26th June 1978, with a request for their comments by the beginning of September. A large number of comments were received, expressing a wide range of views. Many organisations welcomed the aim of the draft circular, but many also stated that additional resources must be provided, to develop community facilities, before dates could be set for the ending of inappropriate admissions. My colleagues and I are now considering what further action would be appropriate in the context of decisions on the overall priorities for planning and the use of available resources.