asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total amount available in the central bridging fund.

I explained quite clearly in the debate on 11 July at columns 1374–75, why I see no clear case for a central bridging fund at the moment. Indeed, I am not sure that the Select Committee had thought through in detail its proposals for such a fund in its latest report. However, I accept that Government and regional health authorities must continue to ensure that bridging finance for capital and revenue is made available for well planned local proposals to replace outdated hospital-based care for mentally ill, mentally handicapped or the very elderly patients with better community-based services.I have undertaken on many occasions to consider very carefully any applications for bridging finance from central funds if any such application is ever put to me by a health authority.