asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is her most recent estimate of the number of physically handicapped or chronically sick young people who are kept in hospital because of the absence of any other suitable accommodation.

Although reliable estimates are not available, there are unfortunately a number of younger disabled people in hospital who could, given the provision of sufficient support services, live either independently in the community or in a residential home. While it is for the consultant concerned to ensure that the need for every younger disabled person in his care to remain in hospital is reviewed frequently, decisions about discharge must depend on the availability of alternative forms of care.