§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many community homes were provided by local authorities and private bodies, respectively, at the most recent date for which figures are available; what responsibility his Department has for reviewing the operation of such homes; and how many such homes have been opened and closed down, respectively, since 1979.
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§ Mr. John PattenFigures are not held centrally of the numbers of community homes. Community homes may be provided by local authorities or voluntary organisations, but not private bodies.
The Department has overall responsibility to ensure that all homes are properly run, in accordance with the Community Home Regulations 1972, and they are therefore subject to inspection by the Department's social services inspectorate.