§ Mr. GoodladTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many new mental illness hospital beds were opened and how many closed in Northern Ireland in the last year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. NeedhamThis information is not available in the form requested. The net figure for beds available in mental illness hospitals (that is adjusted to take account of beds opened and closed) for 1987 was 4,163.
§ Mr. GoodladTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funds have been specifically earmarked for the care of the mentally ill following the closure of mental hospitals in Northern Ireland in the last year; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NeedhamNo psychiatric hospitals have been closed in Northern Ireland during the last year.
§ Mr. GoodladTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many residential places in the community will be provided in(a) the current and (b) the next year for those discharged from mental hospitals in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. NeedhamThis information is not held centrally. Local provision of living accommodation available for those discharged from mental hospitals comprises a wide range of residential types including hostels, group homes, residential and nursing homes and private accommodation run by individual carers. This range of accommodation is operated by the statutory, private and voluntary sectors and is not necessarily solely for those discharged from mental hospitals.
§ Mr. GoodladTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the mental illness hospitals scheduled to(a) open and (b) close in (i) the current and (ii) the next year in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. NeedhamThere are no plans either to open or close any mental hospitals in Northern Ireland in 1988 or 1989.