asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he proposes to take to encourage the establishment of mental health hostels for patients inappropriately placed in hospital.

I am sure that health and social services authorities are well aware of my concern that, within the resources available, they should work together and with voluntary organisations to provide the most appropriate residential provision for those mentally handicapped and mentally-ill patients who need it.This can be helped by the use of joint financing which makes grants from NHS funds available to local authorities and voluntary organisations. The planned increase of joint financing for 1980–81 will be maintained and its fullest take-up will be encouraged by the recent relaxation of the previous seven-year maximum period of support.