Written Answers
Mr Dennis Stevenson And Research Projects
asked Her Majesty's Government:What research projects Mr. Dennis Stevenson has set up at various universities, and with what funds.
These studies are designed to collect detailed information not otherwise available on the organisation, staffing, funding and achievements of a number of local voluntary organisations. They have been carried out by volunteers at Leeds, Salford, Wales and Reading Universities and at Newbury and Lewes. Their travelling and other out-of-pocket expenses are being met from public funds.
Waste Disposal By Local Authorities
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in view of the unsatisfactory system of waste disposal operated by many local authorities, and also of the under-employment of the heavy engineering industry, they will place orders for a waste-disposal plant with a view to its later being hired out to local authorities.
The nature of the Government's relationship with local authorities in carrying out their statutory functions in the public health field do not require or justify an arrangement on the lines suggested. It is the duty of each local authority to assess the waste disposal requirements of its area, often in conjunction with neighbouring authorities, and to acquire, either individually or jointly such capital equipment as may be necessary. Under arrangements introduced last April local authorities now have a block allocation of capital which they can spend in accordance with their own assessment of priorities. There is now a growing trend towards mechanical treatment of refuse, and I would expect this to be accentuated when, on the reorganisation of local government, responsibility for refuse disposal in England is passed to the new county councils.
The disposal of house refuse is a service for which Parliament has made local authorities responsible without detailed supervision by central Government, and they are of course answerable to their electors. I agree that one sees many cases where a local authority's arrangements are unsatisfactory, but there is no reason why they should be. Local authorities have had the benefit of advice in the recent comprehensive report of the Department's Working Party on Refuse Disposal, who recommended a code of practice for the controlled tipping of refuse and gave much useful guidance and information on other aspects of disposal. In a circular issued to local authorities with the report the Secretary of State for the Environment asked them to review their methods to ensure that tipping is carried out to the highest possible standards.Treatment Of The Mentally Handicapped
asked Her Majesty's Government:How many of the 36,000 long-stay patients now accommodated in psychiatric hospitals they estimate could be treated in the community; and what facilities, such as domiciliary nurses, would have to be provided additionally to those already existing.
No such estimate has been made in respect of patients in hospitals for the mentally ill. The number of patients needing long-term treatment as hospital in-patients is declining sharply with progress in methods of treatment. At the end of 1970, 66,476 patients had been in mental illness hospitals and units for three years or more compared with 83,378 in 1963.As regards the mentally handicapped, at the end of 1970 about 57,000 patients in hospital (89 per cent. of all such patients) had been in continuous residence in hospital for three or more years. Surveys in two areas have suggested that about a third to a half of all mentally handicapped people in hospital might be discharged if there were appropriate services elsewhere. However there is necessarily a subjective element in such surveys, and it would be unwise to estimate a national figure from such limited data. Command 4683,
Better Services for the Mentally Handicapped,outlines the new balance of hospital and community services towards which we are aiming.
Amniocentesis Research
asked Her Majesty's Government:What research on amniocentesis is being sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Security; what financial contribution is being made by the Department to the Medical Research Council in respect of work done by the latter on this subject in the year 1971–72; and whether the Government agrees with the Council that amniocentesis should be regarded as a high priority area for research.
The Department of Health and Social Security is providing £15,000 per year to support the work of Professor Polani at the Paediatric Research Unit, Guy's Hospital. This includes studies of diagnostic amniocentesis and clinical cytogenetic work. In addition a number of projects are being carried out by Hospital Boards with money provided under the Locally Organised Clinical Research scheme.The provision of funds for the Medical Research Council, which is the main Gov- ernment agency for medical research, is a matter for the Department of Education and Science and the allocation of these funds for particular purposes is for the Council to decide.The Government agrees that amniocentesis is an important area for research and welcomes the activities of the Medical Research Council.House adjourned at five minutes before eight o'clock.