§ Mr. KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements for transfer of dowry funds with resettled mental handicap patients to local authorities have been made in each regional health authority; under what terms these payments are made; and if he will list by regional health authority the sums transferred each year on this basis.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettUnder the all-Wales mental handicap strategy we have introduced arrangements which provide for the transfer of blocks of resources from district health authorities to local authorities as people with a mental handicap move into the community in accordance with agreed joint county plans. This was done by means of a circular to all DHAs and county councils last September. I have placed a copy in the Library of the House. The first formal transfers of resources under this system will be made early in the new financial year.
§ Mr. KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many sales of capital assets have arisen from closures of mental handicap hospitals; and if he will list the assets disposed of and the money raised by each sale.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettSince the all-Wales mental handicap strategy was launched in March 1983 two mental handicap hospitals in Wales, Drymma Hall—West Glamorgan health authority —and Allt-y-Mynydd—East Dyfed health authority-have closed. The proceeds of sale, £187,800 and £132,000 respectively, were returned to the authorities concerned and redeployed to improve services for people with mental handicap within the authorities concerned.