§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total number of residential places provided and funded in Greater London specifically for homeless alcoholic women by (a) area health authorities, (b) local social services authorities and (c) voluntary organisations; and what the effect on these services would be if the hostel managed by Homeless Action at Whitechapel, London El, were to close.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe information requested is not held centrally. 'Care in Action'* emphasised the Government's view that health authorities should, in collaboration with local government and voluntary services, decide how resources might be used as effectively and economically as possible to meet local needs and circumstances. It would therefore be for the appropriate local statutory authorities to assess the effect if they thought there was a likelihood of this hostel closing.
* 'Care in Action': A handbook of Policies and Priorities for the Health and Personal Social Services in England: 1981: HMSO £3.30 net.