§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the per capita average cost of resettling people from long stay hospitals into the community, excluding the costs of decommissioning the hospitals themselves. [14689]
§ Mr. RichardsIt is for local and health authorities to determine individuals' care and support needs and to provide facilities and services accordingly, consequently the information requested is not available centrally.
In 1994–95 agreement was reached on the transfer of 50 individuals with a learning disability into the community. Approximately £1.7 million will be made available each year from mental handicap strategy funds to pay for these individuals' care and support. A further £0.53 million each year will come from resources released from long stay mental handicap hospitals. This is in addition to funds from other sources, such as authorities' own resources and social security and housing benefits, where appropriate.