asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to increase the number of geriatric beds in the West Midlands area, in view of the fact that beds are not available to care for bedridden, elderly people while their relatives take a holiday from constant care.

Increases in the number of geriatric beds are planned throughout the area for which the West Midlands Regional Health Authority will be responsible from 1st April. In many cases it has proved possible to admit elderly people to hospital to enable their relatives to take a holiday and wherever possible this practice will continue.