§ Mr. Moyleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects the Departmental review of "Better Services for the Mentally Handicapped" to be completed; and whether he will publish the results.
§ Sir George YoungWe are assembling information on the progress made in mental handicap provision since the White Paper "Better Services for the664W Mentally Handicapped". This work is expected to be completed later this year. In the light of the findings my right hon. Friend will decide what action is necessary to carry the development of mental handicap services forward, and whether any of the material assembled could usefully be published.
§ Miss Wrightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what general or particular guidelines have been given to the metropolitan district councils in the West Midlands on target numbers of places in hostels and homes that should be provided for mentally handicapped persons; and if he will set out in tabular form both target figures and existing numbers of places.
§ Sir George YoungThe 1971 White Paper "Better Services for the Mentally Handicapped", Cmnd. 4683, sets out the current guidelines to local authorities on the provision of residential accommodation for the mentally handicapped. These take the form of objectives which local authorities are expected to obtain by the early 1990s, although clearly the rate of progress is affected by local priorities, needs and the resources available.
The ultimate level of provision suggested in the 1971 White Paper is for 60 residential places per 100,000 total population for mentally handicapped adults aged 16 years or over and an additional 10 places per 100,000 population for children.
Information about the provision by metropolitan district councils in the West Midlands is held locally and the hon. Member may like to consult the authorities concerned.