To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many places at present exist in England and Wales in hospital-hostels for chronically mentally ill people; and what plans he has to increase the number of such places.

Statistics on hospital-hostel places are not collected centrally. It is a matter for health authorities to assess their requirements for such provision.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what measures are being undertaken by his Department to ensure that those chronically mentally ill people who need permanent asylum and care receive adequate care in the community on discharge from hospitals; and if he will make a statement.

It is no part of the Government's policy that chronically mentally ill people who need permanent asylum should be discharged into the community. Where closure of a mental hospital is proposed, alternative district in-patient provision must be available before closure takes place.