§ 17. Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many mentally or physically handicapped people have been moved out of long-stay hospitals and into smaller residential units since May 1979; and whether he has plans to increase the numbers in the future.
§ Sir George YoungI regret that information is not available in the form requested but I shall write to the hon. Member letting him have the statistics which are available. The numbers in hospital have fallen and, while the rate of further progress will be governed by the resources available, we have it clear in "Care in Action" that our plan is to provide a comprehensive community-based service for both these groups of people.