§ Mr. Simon Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, what is the size of the waiting list at the addiction research unit of the institute of psychiatry at the Bethlem Royal and Maudsley joint hospital.
§ Mr. WhitneyI am sorry I cannot give the hon. Member the information he requests. It is not collected centrally. The hon. Member may wish to approach the chairman of the special health authority for the information he seeks.
§ Mr. Simon Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether Her Majesty's Government envisage a role for the Bethlem Royal and Maudsley joint hospital in its plans to tackle drug addiction.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe hospital plays a valuable role in the provision of teaching, research and in the specialist treatment of drug addiction. I trust this will continue.
§ Mr. Simon Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement on the proposals announced by the general manager of the Bethlem Royal hospital and Maudsley hospital health authority, as to the future of the Bethlem Royal hospital, Maudsley hospital and the institute of psychiatry.
§ Mr. WhitneyWe are aware that the Bethlem Royal hospital and Maudsley hospital special health authority is considering proposals for the rationalisation of services, which are designed to contain its costs in the coming year. Its recommendations will be discussed with the Department before any final decisions are made. The institute of psychiatry, part of London university's postgraduate medical federation, is not a direct responsibility of the Department.