asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he intends to issue any guidelines on levels of standards of care for small private homes catering for three or fewer mentally handicapped people.

We are aware of concern that such homes fall outside the registration system for residential care homes and the related requirements governing standards of care. We are keeping a close eye on the situation and will bear it in mind when we take stock of the registration arrangements in association with our consideration of reports of studies involving residential care. These include a study by the Department's social services inspectorate on the implementation of the Registered Homes Act 1984, Sir Roy Griffith's overview of community care, and the review of residential care currently being chaired by Lady Wagner.