asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the fact that the new psychogeriatric ward at Greaves Hall Hospital, Southport, cannot be opened because there is no money available to staff it, if he will provide the extra finance needed to enable the ward to be opened without further delay, in pursuance of his policy that psychogeriatric facilities should receive high priority in the development of the hospital service.

A decision on the opening of the new psychogeriatric ward at Greaves Hall will be made by Sefton Area Health Authority when its revenue allocation for 1977–78 is confirmed.