§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now issue clear guidelines regarding the scheme to reduce the number of mentally handicapped children in long-stay hospitals; if he will set out in detail the cost to parents, local authorities and other organisations involved; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergGuidelines to the £1 for £1 scheme and a circular to health and local authorities were issued on 26 November and copies have been placed in the Library of the House. As the guidelines make clear, the alternatives to long-stay hospital care for mentally handicapped children are numerous and varied. It would be impractical to provide detailed costings of schemes, which will vary according to the needs of the children and local circumstances.