asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what decisions have been taken or are currently under consideration to close or change the use of Friern Hospital, Friern Barnet.

The four community health councils concerned with Friern Hospital have drafted a discussion paper which proposes that the hospital should be phased out over the next decade and that resources should be transferred to build up a community-based psychiatric service. This paper is being considered by Camden and Islington Area Health Authority (T).