HC Deb 15 March 1988 vol 129 cc560-1W
Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement about the future administration and management of resettlement units.

Mr. Portillo

All 22 DHSS resettlement units are to be closed and replaced by groups of smaller hostels, run by voluntary bodies and local authorities, but funded by the Department. That process will take some years, during which the units will continue to be run by the Department. The Department has under consideration the establishment of the units and their associated headquarters branch as a departmental agency under the initiative announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 18 February.

Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how much has been spent, and under what headings, on the process of replacing the existing resettlement units.

Mr. Portillo

Capital and revenue expenditure of £229,424 and £35,218 respectively has been incurred in respect of facilities to replace the existing units. In addition, £64,452 has been spent in the review process itself, mainly on development workers but also on the review teams and the advisory steering group.