HC Deb 31 March 1980 vol 982 c49W
Mr. W. Benyon

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the comparable costs of treating an alcoholic in a specialised hostel as opposed to the accommodation cost in prison, hospital, or bed and breakfast accommodation.

Sir George Young

Treatment for alcoholics is normally given at an alcoholic treatment unit, psychiatric hospital or by a general practitioner. Voluntary organisations provide hostels, counselling, advice and other support. The cost of these responses to individual alcoholics' needs vary considerably and are affected also by location, size and degree of care and support. It is not realistic to compare the cost of these responses. Moreover, most alcoholics are neither offenders, nor homeless, nor in need of accommodation. The cost of accommodation in prison is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.