§ Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in the light of the statement and answers on public expenditure by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 1 November, he will make a statement about the cancellation of plans to extend the facilities at St. Aidan's home for mentally handicapped men at Gattonside, Roxburghshire.
§ Mr. FairgrieveSt. Aidan's is a private care institution, owned by the Brothers of Charity, with which the Borders health board has a contractual arrangement for the accommodation and maintenance of patients. The Borders regional council social work department has a similar arrangement with St. Aidan's for residents in the home for whom it is responsible. I understand that proposals to provide a social centre and extend the workshops at St. Aidan's have the approval in principle of the health board and of the social work department; but, because of existing commitments and the priorities of other developments, neither authority is able at present to assist the charity in financing the work.