§ Sir Donald Kaberryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what provision his Department is prepared to make in future years for the maintenance of the Leeds detoxification centre.
§ Mr. MoyleIt was agreed with the Leeds Area Health Authority (Teaching) and city council that my Department would meet the costs of this pilot scheme for an experimental period of three years from May 1976 on the understanding that, well before the end of the period they would review whether, and, if so, how the arrangements should be continued as part of their local services. It has been made clear since 1975 to all concerned that my Department did not hold out any hope of funding the detoxification service after May 1979.
Exceptionally, the Department's grant has now been extended for a final six months to allow more time for local consultation. I do not wish to see a good service lost: but as a service for a particular locality it cannot be maintained by central funding. Its future is a matter for local decision in the light of local priorities and resources.