§ Mrs. Rene Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is his policy towards the recommendations which have been submitted to him by the Birmingham and district society for autistic children in respect of special residential/day facilities for autistic adults in the west midlands;
(2) if he will make resources available to localities in the west midlands region to enable them to make provision for the construction of residential autistic communities.
§ Mr. John PattenI shall write to the hon. Member once we have had the opportunity to consider the recent correspondence from the Birmingham and district society copied to us for information. It is for health and local authorities to determine the detailed provision of service for autistic people in their areas in the light of local needs and the availability of resources, and I understand that the regional health authority is inviting the society to a meeting to discuss its ideas.