§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Prime Minister if, in the context of the study of the programme "The Silent Minority" referred to by the Secretary of State for Social Services on 9 June, Official Report, column 72, Her Majesty's Government will take into account the need for reallocation of centrally provided resources to counter the problems manifested in the programme.
§ The Prime MinisterThe programme in question was primarily concerned with the treatment of the mentally handicapped within the NHS in England. The Government are concerned to meet the needs of NHS. Despite our400W commitment to reduce public expenditure in the interest s of the economy as a whole, we have maintained spending on the NHS. The resources for hospital and community health services are allocated between health authorities in England on the basis of the recommendations of the Resource Allocation Working Party. Each health authority is expected to deploy these resources as they think best in the light of national priorities and local needs. In February my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services published "Care in Action: a handbook of policies and priorities for health and personal social services". In line with previous statements of priorities, "Care in Action" emphasised the need to reallocate resources towards the priority groups, including the mentally handicapped.