asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what amount was disbursed by his Department in support finance for the mentally handicapped in 1984–85; and what is the amount in the current financial year.

An estimated £2·8 million was spent by health boards in 1984–85 on support finance projects. A substantial proportion of this money was spent on projects for the mentally handicapped, but detailed information is not readily available centrally. I have indicated to health boards that I expect the overall level of expenditure on support finance in the current year to be around £6 million. Decisions on individual projects to be supported from Health Service resources are primarily for health boards.