§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what new provisions have been made by his Department during this past three years to improve dental care for mentally handicapped people in Gwynedd under the all-Wales strategy for mentally handicapped persons; how much money has been provided from strategy resources for each such initiative; and if he will list them, noting the date at which they are expected to be fully operational.
§ Mr. GristUnder the all-Wales strategy, all providers of services are expected to promote access for people with a mental handicap to the facilities available to the community at large, including dental care. In addition to the generality of funding we are making available to the Gwynedd health authority, my right hon. Friend is providing on a recurrent basis £24,500 for the authority to employ three whole-time equivalent dental hygienists working solely with people with mental handicaps. For further details about these services the hon. Gentleman might care to contact the general manager of Gwynedd health authority.