§ Mr. Thurnhamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many handicapped children are currently in residential institutions and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HayhoeAvailable information on residential accommodation for handicapped children is as follows:
158W
Number of places for the under 16s in Homes and Hostels for the Mentally Handicapped. As at 31 March 1984 Statutory Homes 2,137 Voluntary Homes 954 Private Homes 97 Total 3,188
Number of local authority supported residents aged under 16 in Homes and Hostels for the Mentally Handicapped. As at 31 March 1984 Statutory Homes 1,241 Voluntary Homes 321 Private Homes 74 Other 173 Total 1,809
As at 31 December 1984 Number of children under 16 in small NHS Mental handicap units in the community 333 Total number of children under 16 in mental handicap hospitals and units (including the NHS units in the community). 1,074 Further information about services for children and handicapped people is contained in "Personal Social Services Statistics 1983–84 Actuals" compiled by the Chartered Institution of Public Finance and Accountancy, a copy of which is in the Library.