§ Mr. Stallardasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many voluntary organisations have made successful applications for matching grants to help move children out of mental handicap hospitals into the community;
(2) how many applications have been received for money from his Department's fund set up to offer matching grants to voluntary organisations to help move children out of mental handicap hospitals into the community.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThirteen applications for grants under the £1 million for £1 million scheme have been received so far and a number of proposals are awaited from the larger voluntary organisations which are known to be consulting the relevent local authorities before making their applications. While several applicants have been asked to provide further information, it has not yet been possible to approve any of the projects submitted to date mainly because they are not apparently designed to meet the scheme's first requirement—to get children under 16 out of hospital.