asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the response of local authorities and health authorities to his propoals for joint financing.

Yes. The response from local and health authorities in England so far in the first year of this new scheme is encouraging. The information I have received from health authorities indicates that they have already agreed to use nearly two-thirds of the allocations made for jointly financed projects in 1976–77, and that further projects are under discussion locally. The balance of allocations not used in 1976–77 is expected to be carried forward to 1977–78.