To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received to ring-fence community care funding for the rehabilitation of alcoholics; and if he will make a statement.

We have received a number of representations about the special needs of problem drinkers within the proposed community care arrangements including a paper from Alcohol Concern, the national voluntary agency on alcohol misuse. Local authorities will be responsible for drawing up plans to meet community care needs of all groups requiring such care; where appropriate we would expect them to include problem drinkers as one of these groups. Effective planning will require that local authorities respond flexibly to local needs and circumstances.