§ Mr. Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidelines are given to health authorities for the relative usage of drug clinics and the general practitioner service for dealing with addicts.
§ Mr. John PattenNone. When a patient consults his general practitioner it is for the latter to decide whether he should be referred to a clinic.
§ Mr. Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportions of drug addicts have been cared for, respectively, by drugs clinics, hospitals and general practitioners in the last five years.
§ Mr. John PattenThe information requested is not available.
§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many drug-abuse centres exist within the United Kingdom; how much money is being spent by the National Health Service on these centres; and what measures are being taken to discourage drug abuse.
§ Mr. John Patten105 hospitals in the United Kingdom are understood to be providing some facilities for the treatment of drug addiction. Information on money spent by the National Health Service on these centres is not held centrally. Responsibility for control of the supply of controlled drugs lies with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. Information about action being taken by this Department was given in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Castle Point (Sir B. Braine) on 13 July.—[Vol. 45, c.367.]