§ Mr. Armstrongasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many local authority residential centres for the care of the mentally handicapped have been closed since May 1979.
§ Sir George YoungThe relevant statistical returns are collected annually for years ending 31 March, and the Department is still analysing the returns for the year ending 31 March 1980. Examination of returns from 70 per cent. of local authorities suggests that the number of mentally handicapped children in local authority homes increased by 17 per cent. over the year, and that for adults by 8 per cent.
More detailed information on local authority provision will be contained in the DHSS publication, "Homes and Hostels for the Mentally Ill and Mentally Handicapped at 31 March 1980", which will be placed in the House of Commons Library in January.