HC Deb 26 January 1987 vol 109 c28W
Mr. Leighton

asked the Paymaster General if he will give details of how an Inner London health authority is participating in the community programme; and if he will name the authority concerned.

Mr. Lee

The Tower Hamlets health authority, Wandsworth health authority and Newham district health authority all participate in the community programme.

In Tower Hamlets, the health authority runs a small community programme agency which is based on Bethnal Green hospital. It operates four projects involving the design of posters and leaflets dealing with health topics, crafts for the disabled, and the landscaping of gardens. In Wandsworth, the health authority acts as an independent sponsor of a small gardening project, which is based at the Gardiner Hill unit of Springfield hospital. In Newham, the district health authority does not operate any projects itself but has decided it will refer potential projects to Interface, a voluntary agency which will operate projects on behalf of the health authority.

Mr. Leighton

asked the Paymaster General what percentage of the places in the community programme are on schemes managed by local authorities.

Mr. Lee

On 12 December 1986, the latest date for which statistics are available, there were 247,607 community programme filled places on which 40.6 per cent. were managed by local authorities.