§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he intends to issue 'Guidance to Area Health Authorities on Home Confinements'.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinThe level of demand for home confinements varies considerably between different parts of the country and we must plainly leave it to health authorities to determine how this service is provided in the light of local demand, the medical and nursing staff available and the competing claims on their services. However, the Department has recently consulted the professional bodies most closely concerned and 603W is seeking the views of the Standing Medical and Standing Nursing and Midwifery Advisory Committees at their next meetings. I shall be considering very carefully in the light of this advice whether there are any steps the Department could take centrally which might help health authorities in this field.