§ Mr. Barnettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from the Greenwich borough council and the Greenwich district health authority about the effect of cuts in local health and social services in relation to the planned redevelopment of services for the mentally handicapped and the mentally ill; and what action he proposes to take to enable the agreed programme to go ahead and targets set by his Department to be reached.
§ Mr. John PattenMy right hon. Friend and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment have received letters sent jointly by Greenwich health authority and the London borough of Greenwich. Revenue allocations for Greenwich HA are a matter for the South East Thames regional health authority. The RHA has been concerned to ensure that its RAWP redistribution policy does not prevent the development of priority services. It has introduced funding policies for mental illness and mental handicap which apply to all districts and are designed to encourage the development of locally based services. In addition it has made capital allocations to Greenwich HA to develop services for the mentally handicapped and is presently awaiting further proposals from Greenwich for these and for services for the mentally ill.