§ Mr. Tom ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to replies on 15 March,Official Report, columns 553–54, what steps he has taken to encourage local authorities to collect data on (a) the discharge and subsequent care of people from long-stay mental illness and mental handicap institutions, (b) the number of carers in their area, (c) the provision of home help support, district nursing services, social work support, or other services to carers and (d) the number of households with a mentally handicapped member and the numbers receiving sitting services, respite care or holiday relief schemes.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe Department has not issued guidance on the collection of such data. It is for local authorities to decide what information they may need in addition to that collected centrally. The range of data to meet central requirements is reviewed regularly within the Department and with local authority representatives at the DHSS/LA technical working group on personal social services statistics.