§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the extent to which consideration by a health authority of the establishment of a village community for mentally handicapped patients is consistent with his policy on community care.
§ Mr. DorrellThe Department has recently reviewed its policy on residential and other services for people with learning disabilities—mental handicap—in the light of the community care reforms and issued draft guidance for consultation. This envisages village communities as being an acceptable but not essential part of a range of community based residential settings. We are currently considering comments received as a result of this consultation.