§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received in support of helping the Spastics Society to extend the facilities for severly mentally handicapped children at Beech Tree House by providing other small arid well-staffed units; what reply he is sending; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungI am glad to say that the admirable facilities being provided by the Spastics Society are not unique. At a conference sponsored by the Department at the King's Fund Centre on 9 June as part of the Government initiative to get mentally handicapped children out of large hospitals, a number of different bodies, including health and local authorities as well as other voluntary organisations, were able to demonstrate feasible alternatives to hospital care for such children. The proceedings of the conference are being written up and will be distributed widely to authorities and voluntary bodies to encourage local initiatives. Furthermore, the Department will be issuing shortly details of the scheme which my right hon. Friend announced last December by which we are offering up to £1 million to match £1 for £1 funds raised by voluntary organisations to get children out of hospital. A large number of organisations have already made enquiries. My right hon. Friend has today received a letter from the Spastics Society asking for help under the scheme to start another unit and the Department will be considering this with the other applications.