asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement about the special problems of Claybury and other mental hospitals in the current industrial action.

I understand that at Claybury action is being taken to resolve difficulties at a local level and I am writing to the hon. Member. So far as mental illness hospitals in general are concerned, I refer the hon. Member to my statement in the House on 1 February in which I expressed my special concern about the impact of action upon highly dependent long-stay patients, and reported my discussion with the union leaders. They shared my concern and I believe that they are doing all they can to minimise hardship—[Vol. 961, cc. 1672–85.]