§ Mr. Andrew BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how it is proposed that the level of funds made available to local authorities in respect of community care services will take into account the proposed closure of hospitals for patients with mental handicap and mental illness.
§ Mr. DorrellLocal authority expenditure on community care will continue to be funded in the same way as other local authority expenditure. Additional funds are made available to local authorities by district health authorities as a result of local agreements to support mentally handicapped and mentally ill patients discharged from hospital to live in the community. A specific grant is proposed to facilitate community care for people with a mental illness.