§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what are his plans for his Department's Southampton resettlement unit, Mill Brook road, over the next five years.
§ Mr. PortilloIn 1985 we announced that we intended to work towards the closure of all resettlement units, replacing them with other facilities, to be run by voluntary oranisations and local authorities but funded by the Government. Proposals for the provision of facilities in the Southampton area were agreed with the local review team earlier this year. The unit will be run down as those facilities become available and will close as soon as an agreed number of replacement bed spaces have been provided. I anticipate that closure will take place within the next five years.
§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the cost of the refurbishment of his Department's Southampton resettlement unit at Mill Brook road.
§ Mr. PortilloNo general refurbishment of the Southampton resettlement unit has taken place. Essential plumbing repairs are currently in progress at an estimated cost of £33,000.