asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking to reduce patient overcrowding and staff shortage in mental illness and mental handicap hospitals; and if he will make a statement.

The Government's policy is that the mentally ill and the mentally handicapped should be cared for in the community when possible. Priority is being given to moving towards this objective and at the same time to improving living standards in hospitals, particularly by eliminating over-crowding and improving staffing levels and patients' facilities. The number of patients in these hospitals has decreased considerably in recent years while the number of staff has increased as follows: