HL Deb 21 October 1987 vol 489 cc228-9WA
Lord McCluskey

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the report currently being prepared by Sir Roy Griffiths on the use of public funding in community care will concern itself with, and make recommendation about, such use for mentally ill persons in Scotland.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Lord Skelmersdale)

Sir Roy Griffiths' review includes the use of public funds supplied through the social security system, which is the same throughout the UK. Sir Roy's recommendations will therefore have some regard to the position in Scotland.

Lord McCluskey

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What consultation Sir Roy Griffiths has had or intends to have with voluntary agencies or bodies in Scotland regarding the current or possible future provision in Scotland of community care by such agencies or bodies (whether acting alone or in association with others) for persons with mental health problems.

Lord Skelmersdale

I understand that Sir Roy Griffiths has informed himself of the subject matter of his review in a variety of ways, including reading, visiting and consulting widely. This has included views from Scottish voluntary organisations concerned with mental health.

Lord McCluskey

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether or not it is intended that any policies to be formed after Sir Roy Griffiths makes his report on community care funding will reflect the differences on mental health care provision, funding and planning that exist between Scotland and England and Wales.

Lord Skelmersdale

Decisions following the receipt of Sir Roy Griffiths' report will have to take account of existing differences between England, Scotland and Wales in the systems for funding and planning mental health services.

Lord McCluskey

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the terms of reference for Sir Roy Griffiths' inquiry into community care funding were intended to permit him to recommend to Ministers:—(a) the spending of additional funds on community care; and (b) the provision by central government of new money on a long-term basis to assist voluntary agencies the better to provide community care for the mentally ill and therefore to allow such voluntary bodies to plan such provision on a regular and long-term basis.

Lord Skelmersdale

As his terms of reference make clear, Sir Roy has been asked to review the way in which public funds are used to support community care. The intention is to achieve a more efficient use of those resources.