asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total expenditure by local authorities on all services in the last five years for which figures are available; what proportion in each year was spent on the personal social services, on domiciliary or day centre services for the young, the physically handicapped, the mentally handicapped, the mentally ill and the elderly, respectively; what proportion was spent on residential care for each of these four groups; and if she will make a statement on her plans for allocation of expenditure on these services in the next five years.

The personal social services were formed with effect from 1st April 1971. The available information for the years 1971–72 to 1973–74 for England is shown below. I am not yet in a position to indicate expenditure in the next five years.