§ Mr. Gerald Howarthasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is in a position to publish the Government's response to the Social Services Committee report on community care with special reference to adult mentally ill and mentally handicapped people.
§ Mr. HayhoeThe Government response is published today (Cmnd. 9674). We welcome the support given by 219W the Committee, and the overwhelming majority of those who gave evidence, to community care as a philosophy and as a practicable proposition. The response confirms the priority we attach to the development of an integrated network of mainly local services capable of supporting meaningful community living and of meeting special needs. Changes in role, contraction or closure of large hospitals must be accompanied by the development of alternative services. Although much has been and is being achieved, much remains to be done; and all those concerned have a responsibility for making the most of available resources to develop a comprehensive range of local residential and other support services to meet the needs of individual mentally ill and mentally handicapped people.