asked the Secretary for Social Services what proposals she has for building and staffing additional young chronic sick institutions.

My Department made available a special allocation of £7 million to enable regional health authorities to build special hospital units for Younger disabled patients. It is expected that by the time that programme is complete at the end of 1976–77, there will be 35 new units in England providing some 850 beds. Further provision will be a matter for regional health authorities as part of their normal capital planning. The staffing of the units is a matter for the health authorities concerned.