asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy regarding the conclusions of the Second Report from the Select Committee on Abortion 1975–76.

On the first recommendation in the Second Report of the Select Committee on Abortion 1975–76—that an advisory committee on research and counselling on abortion be appointed—I believe that the intentions behind this recommendation are fully covered by my Department's existing arrangements for research sponsorship. These include a research liaison group, which is a joint committee of members of my Department and outside expert advisors, specifically responsible for sponsoring research into reproduction and allied services and advising on the policy implications of completed research. Research into various aspects of abortion is a high priority for the group and because it covers the whole of the reproduction field the group is able to offer expert advice and sponsorship over a wide range of factors which affect abortion. My Department is issuing a circular to health authorities later this week recommending that authorities review the needs for training in abortion counselling. Funds have been made available centrally to help support local pilot projects designed to meet these needs.The Select Committee recommended secondly that the Chief Medical Officer's letter—on procedures for appointment in specialties related to abortion—be withdrawn and that new provision be made regarding conscientious objection, particularly in respect of training procedures for nurses. The Joint Consultants' Committee, which represents those affected by the letter, has presented a report to the Chief Medical Officer, detailing its views on the letter and recommending that certain changes should be made. Full consideration will be given to the report and to the wider issues involved, although the evidence I have does not lend any support to the Select Committee's view that there is a widespread or serious problem either in consultant or nursing appointments.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further consideration he has given to amending the law on abortion.

I will let my hon. Friend have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations have been made to him by the Liverpool Community Health Council about cuts and hospital closures.

The Liverpool Central and Southern Community Health Council asked me in a telegram sent on 24th June to meet it to discuss its concern that extra money should be provided for the health services in Liverpool. In my reply I referred to assurances that I had received from the Chairman of the Mersey Regional Health Authority and the Liverpool Area Health Authority that there would be full consultation with the community health councils and other interests both over the area health authority's proposals for short-term savings and over its longer-range plans for rationalising services in Liverpool. I said that I did not think a meeting with me in advance of this full consultation would be helpful, but that if subsequently there remained points on which the community health council was dissatisfied I should be willing to consider them.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether his Department has approved the regional health authority's proposed expenditure on a new general hospital in Mid-Sussex in the early 1980s.

My Department is discussing this project with the South West Thames Regional Health Authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the work of the Supplementary Benefits Commission.

Yes. The Commission has carried out the duties laid on it by Parliament with compassion and good sense, and has made a valuable contribution to public debate on the problems of those living on low incomes. The Government accept, as the Commission, among others, has suggested, that the supplementary benefits scheme itself needs to be reviewed and that is why my right hon. Friend established last year a review team.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether on current projections he expects there to be a surplus of doctors by 1980.

No. There has been no change in the Government's aim to reduce our dependence on overseas doctors, to remove serious disparities between regions of the country and to overcome shortages in certain specialities. I see no possibility of achieving these objectives as soon as 1980.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of beds for mental illness are now in general hospitals.

On 31st December 1975, 8£1 per cent. of hospital beds for the mentally ill were located in general hospitals, but nearly 30 per cent. of hospital admissions were to beds in general hospital units.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report a comparison of the scale and scope of the mental health services in Preston and Lancashire generally in 1977 and in 1974, 1975 and 1976; and if he will make a statement.

The available information on health service provision is shown in the attached table. I am seeking the information in respect of local authority provision and will circulate it in the Official Report as soon as it is available.The North Western Regional Health Authority's strategic plans for the development of services over the next 10 years gives priority to services for the mentally ill and mentally handicapped. Its general aims for the Lancashire area are to provide the full range of mental illness inpatient and day care facilities— including services for elderly people with severe mental infirmity—in each district—to develop district-based services for the mentally handicapped, and to improve conditions in the remaining large hospitals. Progress will be helped by the action we are taking to allocate a larger sum of resources to the North Western Region under the formula for revenue allocation.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the servicing of the mentally sick in the Come Valley constituency and the region generally.

The Colne Valley constituency lies mainly in the Huddersfield

	Huddersfield District		Yorkshire RHA
	Allocated beds	Surplus(+)Deficiency(—) compared with national norms	Allocated beds	Surplus(+)Deficiency(—) compared with national norms
In patient beds (DHSS norm 0·67 per 1,000 population)	602	+458	8,073	+5,554
Day places (DHSS norm 0·65 per 1,000 population)	60*	-191*	1,331	-1,112
Out patient sessions (DHSS norm 6 clinic sessions per week per 100 000 population)	10	-3	192·7	-32·9
* Serving Kirklees area.

Although the Yorkshire Region has a surplus of mental illness beds five districts have none. The regional health authority's policy is to provide a full service in each district and as a first priority it has asked area health authorities to ensure that day and out-patient facilities are provided in each district. Kirklees Social Services Department does not provide services specifically for the Come Valley. The following facilities serve the whole of the Kirklees Metropolitan District: 21-place residential hostel, three group homes and a 60-place day centre.The area health authority and the local authority are collaborating under the joint planning and financing arrangements to improve the services for the mentally ill in Kirklees.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the estimated total annual revenue expenditure on services for the mentally ill for the East Anglia Regional Health Authority for the years 1978 to 1982;(2)what was the total annual National Health Service capital expenditure on services for the mentally ill in the East Anglia Regional Health Authority for the years 1967 to 1977;(3)what proportion of the total annual National Health Service capital expenditure for the years 1966 to 1976 was spent on services for the mentally handicapped

For information relating to the years before 1974–75. I refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to hon. Members on 21st May 1975.—[Vol. 892, c. 447, 477–8, 483–6, 493 and 507–8.] Figures for 1974–75 to 1977–78 are as be-

					Mentally Ill Capital Expenditure		Mentally Handicapped Capital Expenditure
			Total Revenue Spending£ '000	Total Capital Spending £ '000	£ '000	Proportion of Total Percentage	£'000	Proportion of Total Percentage
1974–75	…	…	77,289	11,258	308	2·7	506	4·5
1975–76	…	…	103,253	14,071	305	2·2	1,322	9·4
1976–77*	…	…	120,899	12,600	516	4·1	1,132	9·0
1977–78*	…	…	136,277	13,900	366	2·6	298	2·1
1978–79†	…	…	138,400	14,500	N/A	—	N/A	—
1979–80†	…	…	140,900	13,700	N/A	—	N/A	—
* Estimates or cash limits.
†At 1977–78 estimated outturn prices.
The figures of total revenue and capital spending from 1976–77 onwards include funds for joint financed projects.

Central Departmental estimates of revenue spending on mental illness in 1975–76 are about £12·3 million and on mental handicap about £5·7 million, and included in these figures are £11·3 million and £5·5 million incurred in single specialty mental illness and mental handicap hospitals, respectively. These estimates are approximate and use programme budget allocation methods. Similar information for 1976–77 is not yet available. Information in this form is not available for earlier years.Based on its own analysis of expenditure and assumptions about future resources the East Anglian RHA's regional strategic plan suggests that by 1981–82 it might have an additional revenue spending of £1·4 million a year on mental illness and £1·0 million a year on mental handicap, at September 1975 prices. Figures for capital expenditures are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the expenditure on mental health in Great Britain, compared with other countries in the EEC, at the latest available date.

In 1975–76, expenditure in Great Britain on NHS hospital services and on local authority residential and day care services for the mentally ill and mentally handicapped amounted to some £750 million. For Northern Ireland the broadly comparable figure is £27 million. As far as I am aware comparable figures

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated total acreage occupied by mental handicap and mental illness hospitals with more than 200 beds in the East Anglia Regional Health Authority.

The total acreage occupied by mental handicap and mental illness hospitals with more than 200 beds in the East Anglian Regional Health Authority is 728 acres.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the increase in the numbers of mentally ill and mentally handicapped people being visited by health visitors, what training programmes are in operation to equip health visitors for this type of work.

The numbers of mentally ill and mentally handicapped people visited by health visitors has not changed much in recent years. The education and training courses leading to the health visitors' certificate cover this aspect of a health visitor's work, as do the refresher courses.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many mentally ill and mentally handicapped persons have been visited by health visitors in 1968, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, and to the latest available date.

The number of mentally ill and mentally handicapped persons visited by health visitors in England in the years 1973–76 inclusive is as follows:

Year		Mentally Ill Persons	Mentally Handicapped Persons	Total
1973	…	29,004	23,170	52,174
1974	…	28,924	19,919	48,843
1975	…	30,161	20,636	50,797
1976	…	29,700	20,300	50,000

The figures for 1976 are estimates based on returns received from 89 of the 90 Area Health Authorities.I regret that comparable figures are not available for 1968.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the facilities for the mentally sick in the constituency of the Isle of Wight compared to the rest of the country.

The Isle of Wight Area Health Authority provides 335 beds for in-patients at Whitecroft Hospital and a varying number of day patients attend the hospital. A seven-place residential house in the hospital grounds rehabilitates patients for discharge to group homes. There is a 12-place day hospital at the Frank James Hospital.The Isle of Wight County Council provides social work support services for the mentally ill both in hospital and in the community.In the voluntary field, the Isle of Wight Mental Health Association has established a day centre at Ryde which operates as part of the community psychiatric services with assistance from AHA and county council staff, and also three group homes with a total of 17 residential places.Discussions are taking place between the AHA and the county council on the possibility of joint financing for the provision of additional day facilities.Need for services can vary greatly from place to place according to local circumstances. Comparisons between facilities in one area and the rest of the country would not therefore be necessarily meaningful.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many mental handicapped hospitals have been closed since 1959.

There have been 17 closures of hospitals or units for the mentally handicaped since 1959.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list for the London North Region for the years 1966 to 1976 (a) the total annual capital expenditure on social services, and (b) the total annual capital expenditure on services for the mentally ill within the social services provision.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list for the London North Region for the years 1966 to 1976 the total capital expenditure on services for the mentally handicapped within the social services provision.

The personal social services are provided under the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 and figures are available only for the financial years 1971/1972 to 1975/1976 when the actual expenditure was as follows:

LONDON NORTH REGION
		Total capital expenditure on personal social services £ million	Total capital expenditure on mental health*£ million
1971–72	…	3·150	0·699
1972–73	…	5·401	1·429
1973–74†	…	8·706	1·651
1974–75	…	8·386	1·638
1975–76	…	8·377	1·466
*These figures include expenditure on both the services for mentally ill and mentally handicapped. Returns submitted by local authorities do not distinguish between them.
†Figures for 1973–74 exclude expenditure by Luton County Borough (figures not available).

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the estimated total annual revenue expenditure on services for the mentally ill for the Mersey Regional Health Authority for the years 1978 to 1982;(2) what is the estimated total annual revenue expenditure on services for the mentally handicapped in the Mersey Regional Health Authority for the years 1978 to 1982.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the estimated proportion of the total annual National Health Service capital expenditure in the Mersey Regional Health Authority for the years 1978 to 1982 attributable to services for the mentally ill;(2) what is the estimated annual National Health Service capital expenditure in the Mersey Regional Health Authority on services for the mentally ill for the years 1978 to 1982.

I regret that the information requested is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total annual National Health Service revenue expenditure on services to the mentally ill in the North West Thames Regional Health Authority in the years 1966 to 1976.

Expenditure in 1975–76 was about £32 million, of which about £29 million was incurred in hospitals for the mentally ill. The estimate is approximate and uses programme budget allocation methods. Similar information for 1976–77 is not yet available. Information on this basis is not available for earlier years, but I refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend's reply to him on 25th May 1976.—[Vol. 912, c. 117–8.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total annual National Health Service revenue expenditure on services for the mentally handicapped for the North Western Regional Health Authority for the years 1967 to 1977.

Expenditure in 1975–76 was about £12.5 million including about

NORTH EAST THAMES REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY
					Mentally Ill		Mentally Handicapped
			Total Revenue Spending £'000	Total Capital Spending £'000	Capital Expenditure £'000	Proportion of Total Percentage	Capital Expenditure £'000	Proportion of Total Percentage
1974–75	…	…	231,944	21,418	1,883	8·8	1,132	5·3
1975–76	…	…	298,422	21,524	2,878	13·4	1,000	4·7
1976–77*	…	…	333,908	22,300	1,157	5·2	853	3·8
1977–78*	…	…	374,399	16,000	526†	3·3	414	2·6
1978–79	…	…	375,000	20,800	N/A	—	N/A	—
1979–80	…	…	375,300	19,800	N/A	—	N/A	—
* Estimates or cash limits.
The figures of total revenue and capital spending from 1976–77 onwards include funds for jointly financed projects.
† Excluding expenditure on elderly severely mentally infirm.

Central Departmental estimates of revenue spending on mental illness in 1975–76 are about £29 million and on mental handicap about £11·2 million, and included in these figures are £25·4

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list for the North East Thames Regional Health Authority for each of the years 1966 to 1976 and as estimates for 1977 to 1981 (a) the total National Health Service health service capital expenditure, (b) the total capital expenditure on services for the mentally handicapped, (c) the total capital expenditure on services for the mentally ill, (d) giving (b) as a proportion of (a), (e) giving (c) as a proportion of (a), (f) the total National Health Service revenue expenditure, (g) the total revenue expenditure on services for the mentally handicapped and (h) the total revenue expenditure on services for the mentally ill.

For information relating to the years before 1974–75 I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave him on 21st May 1975.—[Vol. 892, c. 461–4.] Figures for 1974–75 to 1977–78 are as below, together with the resource assumptions notified to the Authority for planning purposes for 1978–79 and 1979–80 at 1977–78 estimated outturn prices.million and £10·9 million incurred in single specialty mental illness and mental handicap hospitals, respectively. These estimates are approximate and use programme budget allocation methods. Information in this form for earlier years is not available. Based on their own analysis of total expenditure and assumptions about future resources, North East Thames RHA's draft strategic plan suggests that the proportion of total expenditure on mental illness and mental handicap services might change over the next 10 years roughly as follows: mental illness, 9·9 per cent. to 9·1 per cent., mental handicap, 3·6 per cent. to 4·3 per cent. The reduction in mental illness expenditure derives from the proposed closure of beds no longer needed.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) in respect of the Basildon constituency and the adjacent area hospital authority region, how many hospital beds are devoted to the mentally sick and handicapped as a percentage of the total number of beds; what provision is made for after-care facilities for the mentally sick and handicapped; and how much was expended in the past three years on the various aspects of after-care for the mentally sick and handicapped;(2) in respect of the City of Bristol, how many hospital beds are devoted to the mentally sick and handicapped as a percentage of the total number of beds; what provision is made for after-care facilities for the mentally sick and handicapped; and how much has been expended in the past three years on the various aspects of after-care for the mentally sick and handicapped;(3) in respect of the City of Southampton and the regional hospital authority, how many hospital beds are devoted to the mentally sick and handicapped as a percentage of the total number of beds; what provision is made for after-care facilities for the mentally sick and handicapped; and how much was expended in the past three years on the various aspects of after-care for the mentally sick and handicapped;(4) in respect of the City of Oxford and the regional hospital authority, how many hospital beds are devoted to the mentally sick and handicapped as a percentage of the total number of beds; what provision is made for after-care facilities for the mentally sick and handicapped; and how much was expended in the past three years on the various aspects of after-care for the mentally sick and handicapped;(5) in respect of the City of Manchester and the regional hospital authority, how many hospital beds are devoted to the mentally sick and handicapped as a percentage of the total number of beds; what provision is made for after-care facilities for the mentally sick and handicapped; and how much has been expended in the past three years on the various aspects of after-care for the mentally sick and handicapped.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in respect of the Bradford, North constituency and the adjacent area hospital authority region, how many hospital beds are devoted to the mentally sick and handicapped as a percentage of the total number of beds; what provision is made for after-care facilities for the mentally sick and handicapped; and how much was expended in the past three years on the various aspects of after-care for the mentally sick and handicapped.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish details showing facilities in the constituency of the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central, and the immediate area hospital authority region, namely (a) the number of hospital beds devoted to the mentally sick and handicapped as a percentage of the total number of beds, (b) the provision of aftercare facilities for the mentally sick and handicapped and (c) the amount expended in the past three years on the various aspects of aftercare for the mentally sick and handicapped.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services. in respect of the Colne Valley constituency and the immediate area health authority region, how many hospital beds are devoted to the mentally sick and handicapped as a percentage of the total number of beds; what provision is made for after care facilities for the mentally sick and handicapped; and how much was expended in the past three years on the various aspects of after care for the mentally sick and handicapped.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in respect of the Hornchurch constituency and the immediate area health authority region, how many hospital beds are devoted to the mentally sick and handicapped as a percentage of the total number of beds; what provision is made for after care facilities for the mentally sick and handicapped; and how much was expended in the past three years on the various aspects of after care for the mentally sick and handicapped.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in respect of the West Bromwich, West constituency and the adjacent area hospital authority region, how many hospital beds are devoted to the mentally sick and handicapped as a percentage of the total number of beds; what provision is made for after-care facilities for the mentally sick and handicapped; and how much was expended in the past three years on the various aspects of after-care for the mentally sick and handicapped.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in respect of the Hove constituency and the adjacent area hospital authority region, how many hospital beds are devoted to the mentally sick and handicapped as a percentage of the total number of beds; what provision is made for after care facilities for the mentally sick and handicapped; and how much was expended in the past three years on the various aspects of after-care for the mentally sick and handicapped.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in respect of the Essex, South-East constituency and the adjacent area hospital authority region, how many hospital beds are devoted to the mentally sick and handicapped as a percentage of the total number of beds; what provision is made for after-care facilities for the mentally sick and handicapped; and how much was expended in the past three years on the various aspects of after-care for the mentally sick and handicapped.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in respect of the Battersea, South constituency and the adjacent area hospital authority region, how many hospital beds are devoted to the mentally sick and handicapped as a percentage of the total number of beds; what provision is made for after-care facilities for the mentally sick and handicapped; and how much was expended in the past three years on the various aspects of aftercare for the mentally sick and handicapped.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in respect of the Bromsgrove and Redditch constituency and the adjacent area hospital authority region, how many hospital beds are devoted to the mentally sick and handicapped as a percentage of the total number of beds; what provision is made for after-care facilities for the mentally sick and handicapped; and how much was expended in the past three years on the various aspects of after-care for the mentally sick and handicapped.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in respect of the Warwick and Leamington constituency and the Warwickshire Regional Health Authority, how many beds are devoted to the mentally sick and handicapped, as a percentage of the total number of beds; what provision is made for after-care facilities for the mentally sick and handicapped; and how much was expended in the past three years on the various aspects of after-care for the mentally sick and handicapped.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in respect of the Daventry constituency and the Northampton District Health Authority, how many hospital beds are devoted to the mentally sick and handicapped as a percentage of the total number of beds; what provision is made for after-care facilities for the mentally sick and handicapped; and how much was expended in the past three years on the various aspects of after-care for the mentally sick and handicapped.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in respect of the Harlow constituency and the Essex Area Health Authority, how many hospital beds are devoted to the mentally sick and handicapped as a percentage of the total number of beds; what provision is made for after-care facilities for the mentally sick and handicapped; and how much was expended in the past three years on the various aspects of after-care for the mentally sick and handicapped.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in respect of the Stoke on Trent, North constituency and the West Midlands Regional Health Authority, how many hospital beds are devoted to the care of the mentally sick and handicapped as a percentage of the total number of beds; what provision is made for after-care facilities for the mentally sick and handicapped; and how much was expended in the past three years on the various aspects of after-care for the mentally sick and handicapped.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in respect of the Gravesend constituency and the adjacent regional health authority, how many hospital beds are devoted to the mentally sick and handicapped as a percentage of the total number of beds; what provision is made for after-care facilities for the mentally sick and handicapped; and how much was expended in the past three years on the various aspects of after-care for the mentally sick and handicapped.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in respect of the Coventry, South-East constituency and the adjacent area hospital authority region, how many hospital beds are devoted to the mentally sick and handicapped as a percentage of the total number of beds; what provision is made for after-care facilities for the mentally sick and handicapped; and how much was expended in the past three years on the various aspects of after-care for the mentally sick and handicapped.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in respect of the Chertsey and Walton constituency and

AVERAGE DAILY NUMBER OF AVAILABLE BEDS 1976
Area Health Authority	Psychiatry Children	Mental Handicap	Mental Illness	Adolescent Psychiatry Units	(A) Total Psychiatric	(B) Total Number of Available Beds	(A) as a percentage of (B)
Essex	15	2,387	2,058	—	4,460	10,069	44·3
Sandwell	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
East Sussex	—	526	807	—	1,333	4,783	27·9
Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth	38	1,149	1,463	—	2,650	6,739	39·3

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in respect of the Feltham and Heston constituency and the adjacent regional hospital authority, how many hospital beds are devoted to the mentally sick and handicapped as a percentage of the total number of beds; what provision is made for after-care facilities for the mentally sick and handicapped; and how much was expended in the past three years on the various aspects of after-care for the mentally sick and handicapped.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in respect of the Leyton constituency and the adjacent area hospital authority region, how many hospital beds are devoted to the mentally sick and handicapped as a percentage of the total number of beds; what provision is made for after-care facilities for the mentally sick and handicapped; and how much was expended in the past three years on the various aspects of aftercare for the mentally sick and handicapped.

Information on hospital beds is not available in the form requested, but for area health authorities is as set out below. However, catchment areas of such hospitals frequently do not coincide with area health authority boundaries. The additional information requested is not readily available, but I will make inquiries and write as soon as possible to the hon. Members and my hon. Friends.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total annual National Health Service capital expenditure in the East Anglia Regional Health Authority for the period 1966 to 1976.

The total capital expenditure by the East Anglian Regional Health Authority for 1974–75 was £11·3 million and £14·1 million for 1975–76. The estimated figure for 1976–77 is £12·6 million.Over the period from 1960 to 1977, capital expenditure per head of population by hospital and more recently health authorities in East Anglia has been 15 per cent. greater than the national average.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many community health councils he has met to date.

I have met groups of council members on 14 occasions, apart from addressing the national meeting of community health councils last November.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he proposes to take during the Summer Recess to meet the community health councils and representatives of local professional opinion, so that he may be directly informed of public concern about the state of the National Health Service.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many community health councils he has met.

I refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Wirral (Mr. Hunt). I make every effort to meet members of community health councils and representatives of local professional opinion on my visits around the country and I welcome opportunities to hear their views.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to announce the next increase in child benefit.

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced last Friday—[Vol. 935, c. 991–2]—that the child benefit rate will go up to £2·30 a child in April 1978, with an extra £1 for the first child in a one-parent family.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the work of the Occupational Pensions Board.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will authorise the investigation of one possible alternative site to the Woodrow site for the construction of the new district general hospital for Bromsgrove and Redditch.

My right hon. Friend's authority is not required; it is open to the West Midlands Regional Health Authority to investigate other sites if they wish.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take any special steps within the social security system to help those aged 75 years and over.

In present circumstances my right hon. Friend takes the view that the available resources are best used for the maximum possible increase in retirement pensions generally rather than in giving any special preference to those to whom the hon. Gentleman refers.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what factors he considers when appointing chairmen of area health authorities.

In carrying out the duty laid upon me by the first Schedule to the National Health Service Reorganisation Act 1973 I am concerned only to appoint people who are best suited in every respect to undertake these important offices. In doing so, I take account of many factors, including personal qualities, background experience, interest in and commitment to the NHS, age and health.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many additional beds have so far become available to NHS patients as a result of the phasing out of pay beds.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Perry Bar (Mr. Rooker) on 21st June 1977.—[Vol. 933, c. 399.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a further statement on the new contract for pharmacists.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a further statement on the new contract for pharmacists.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a further statement on the pharmacists' new contract.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has yet completed his discussions on pharmacists' National Health Service remuneration; and if he will make a statement.

I am meeting representatives of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee again on 25th July to continue our discussions about NHS remuneration.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the likely future trends of after-care facilities.

Our long-term strategy for the development of after-care services for the mentally ill were set out in the White Paper "Better Services for the Mentally Ill" (Cmnd. 6233). The consultative document on priorities in the health and personal social services indicated the progress we hope will be made in the period to 1979–80, emphasising the importance of day care and residential provision and urging the use of low-cost solutions. I am considering the comments received on the consultative document, and I shall be issuing further guidance in due course.

asked the Secretar of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the likely trends of after-care facilities in the European Economic Community.

Membership of the EEC does not affect national health care provisions, including after-care, which remain the responsibility of individual member States. After-care includes a range of services, and if my hon. Friend will write to me about any aspect of concern to him I will endeavour to provide information.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to exempt the blind and partially sighted from optical charges.

It is the Government's intention to introduce legislation to exempt the registered blind and partially sighted from NHS optical charges. My Department is currently consulting local and health authorities about the arrangements needed to implement this proposal and its expenditure implications.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his current estimate of the additional number of people who would now possess invalid tricycles if previous policies had been maintained.

I refer the hon. Member to my reply earlier today to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Stechford (Mr. MacKay).

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many different designs of vehicle as alternatives to the invalid tricycle are currently being studied by his Department.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mr. Corbett.) on 17th May. —[Vol. 932, c. 120.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has yet decided what further research is desirable in order to find the best specialist vehicles for the disabled.

My Department's main immediate concern is to mount, in collaboration with the Department of Transport, a study of the currently available adaptations to standard motor cars and of the diverse needs of disabled drivers. To the extent to which available adaptations do not meet those needs, the study will also consider what additional facilities are desirable and feasible. At the same time, I shall do what I can to encourage well-founded research which can lead to the production of specialised vehicles, in so far as they are needed, for disabled people.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether it is the policy of his Department that a disabled man aged 61 years who is not yet entitled to receive a retirement pension should be allowed to retain his invalid carriage, but that a woman of the same age who is not yet entitled to receive a retirement pension on her husband's National Insurance record should have her invalid carriage taken away; and how he justifies this difference between the treatment of incapacitated women as opposed to men.

Mobility allowance is available under existing legislation up to pensionable age—that is, 65 for a man and 60 for a woman. The same limits apply when an invalid tricycle is issued to someone who satisfies the conditions for the allowance but is not yet within an eligible age group for claiming it.Mobility allowance was introduced, and is being both extended to eligible age groups and uprated, at the cost of trebling my Department's expenditure on mobility for the disabled in circumstances of severe economic constraint. The upper age limits were necessary to contain the cost within this substantial increase. A common upper age limit of 65 would cost about £9 million extra; abolishing the upper age limit altogether would cost about £182 million a year.I am having the particular case which concerns the hon. Gentleman reconsidered, in the light of his recent personal approach to me, and will be in further touch with him after this as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the number of firms wishing to contract out of the State second pension scheme.

It is up to every employer with an occupational pension scheme to decide, after the necessary consultations, whether or not to contract out. With less than nine months remaining before the start of the new pensions scheme, however, it is most important that all employers proposing to contract-out should press on to help avoid a late rush of applications to the Occupational Pensions Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he last met representatives of the retirement pensioners' associations.

Representatives of organisations interested in the needs and welfare of pensioners were among those who attended the seminar on social security priorities which my right hon. Friend and I held on 5th July. Yesterday 18th July my right hon. Friend addressed the annual general meeting of Age Concern.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated proportion of total National Health Service capital expenditure for the years 1978 to 1982 which will be spent in the Mersey Regional Health Authority on services for the mentally handicapped.

I regret that the information requested is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he proposes to conclude his consultations on trade union representation on pension fund boards.

These consultations are continuing and I cannot say when they will be concluded.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the savings incurred by a disabled person receiving care at home rather than in hospital or sheltered accommodation, he will review the criteria which establish an entitlement to the attendance allowance.

Apart from our intention to modify the six months' re-qualification condition for those who have previously been entitled to attendance allowance, which I announced in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Eccles (Mr. Carter-Jones) on 27th June—[Vol. 934, c. 80–1.]—we have no other proposals for changing the medical requirements under which some 260,000 people are now receiving this allowance. If my hon. Friend has any particular case or point in mind, I shall be pleased to consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the progress that is being made in transferring patients from the special hospitals to NHS hospitals where such transfers have been opposed by the staff and trade unions.

I refer my hon. Friend to my replies to him on 16th and 27th June.—[Vol. 933, c. 266; Vol. 934, c. 70–]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent consultations he has had with representatives of the self-employed about social security matters.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to improve the provision of day care facilities and short stay care hostels for severely mentally handicapped children over the age of 16 years, in order to reduce the number of these children permanently hospitalised and increase the number normally living at home.

The consultative document "Priorities for Health and Personal Social Services in England" proposed that as a first priority in the mental handicap field the growth of local authority services should be maintained at the rates required to achieve the targets set out in the White Paper "Better Services for the Mentally Handicapped". Particular priority was attached to training services for mentally handicapped people living with their families.The National Development Group for the Mentally Handicapped has recently published pamphlets containing suggestions for action in relation to school-leavers and to short-term care and a further pamphlet on day services for mentally handicapped adults is published today. I hope that all concerned with day services for mentally handicapped people will study this valuable pamphlet most carefully. Particular reference is made in the pamphlet to the process by which school leavers are admitted to adult training centres. There is also a chapter on the special needs of the most severely handicapped. Copies of all NDG pamphlets are available in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps are being taken to ensure that the Royal Victoria Hospital at Folkestone maintains a fully operative casualty unit after the opening of the William Harvey Hospital at Ashford.

A fully operative accident and emergency service will be maintained for the South-East Kent Health District. The role in this of the Royal Victoria Hospital is still the subject of local discussions.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement regarding the disqualification from sickness benefit caused by late claims, since no specific time limits are mentioned on forms issued by the Department of Health and Social Security.

Time limits for claiming incapacity benefits have existed since the start of the scheme. They are necessary because inevitably some of the millions of claims for sickness and invalidity benefit made each year are not well-founded, and action for the proper control of claims can only be taken if the Department is aware of the incapacity at an early stage. The National Insurance Advisory Committee has considered the question of time limits on several occasions.There are various time limits for claiming sickness benefit—within 21 days of the day for which benefit is claimed in the case of a first-ever claim to benefit, within six days for the first claim in any subsequent spell of incapacity, and within 10 days for continuation claims in the same spell of incapacity. There are also special rules for claims from hospital patients and in respect of dependants. These time limits can be extended by the independent adjudicating authorities where good cause for the delay in claiming can be shown.A warning that benefit may be lost if not claimed promptly is printed in red on the benefit claim form Med 3 and a corresponding but fuller warning is included in the BF11P—a form giving general notes for guidance issued with the first payment of benefit. To go into further detail and set out comprehensively the various time limits which apply would be impracticable in the space available on the Med 3, and, while possible in the case of the BF11P, might be confusing, both because of the detail involved and because benefit will not in fact be lost if good cause for delay can be shown. The BF11P was pruned some years ago because of the evidence that lengthy forms were simply counterproductive. Information on the time limits for claiming benefit is given in the sickness benefit leaflet which is freely available from the Department. I am satisfied that the simple unequivocal warning which appears on forms at present is the most appropriate means of warning people against delay.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the number of urgent cases in the Trent Regional Health Authority area on the waiting list; how many have been waiting for over one month; and if he will make a statement on the action he intends to take to remedy this position.

On 31st March 1977 there were 3,691 urgent cases on waiting lists in the Trent region, of which 2,560 had been on the lists for more than one month.Regarding action generally in hand on waiting lists, I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. McNair-Wilson) on 10th May 1977—[Vol. 931, c. 1087–88]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking to reduce the length of time which National Health Service patients are obliged to wait for surgical operations and other forms of hospital treatment.

I have been having discussions with chief officers and chairmen of regional health authorities on how best to tackle this long-standing and intractable problem, and have recently sent to national representatives of medical and nursing staffs a national summary of reports by health authorities on management arrangements for hospital waiting lists, inviting their comments.Health authorities have been asked to identify in their capital estimates schemes expected to reduce waiting lists for hospital in-patient admission. Nearly £8 million was identified under this heading in the financial year 1976–77.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he next plans to meet the Chairman of the South-East Thames Regional Health Authority.

I met Sir John Donne this morning at one of my regular meetings with the chairmen of regional health authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are his official engagements for 19th July.

This morning I took the chair at one of the regular meetings with chairmen of regional health authorities.This afternoon I am answering Questions in the House.Following that, I have meetings with Dr. Donoghue, and Mr. Kenneth Robinson.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has any plans to increase the number of training places for physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

Some increases in training places are planned and proposals for further increases are under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he proposes to take to change the present situation whereby patients in postgraduate teaching hospitals do not have access to the services of community health councils.

Patients of postgraduate teaching hospitals may seek the advice and assistance of community health councils in the same way as other NHS patients. Councils do not have a statutory relationship with boards of governors of postgraduate teaching hospitals as they do with area health authorities, but I am not aware that this has given rise to difficulties for patients. If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind and will write to me I will look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he proposes to take to change the present situation whereby patients in postgraduate teaching hospitals do not have access to the services of community health councils.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he proposes to take to change the present situation whereby patients in postgraduate teaching hospitals do not have access to the services of community health councils.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he proposes to take to change the present situation whereby patients in post-graduate teaching hospitals do not have access to the services of community health councils.

Patients of postgraduate teaching hospitals may seek the advice and assistance of community health councils in the same way as other NHS patients Councils do not have a statutory relation-ship with boards of governors of post-graduate teaching hospitals as they do with area health authorities, but I am not aware that this has given rise to difficulties for patients. If the hon. Members have particular cases in mind and will write to me I will look into them.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the level of support for families with children.

I am well aware that families with children have found it particularly hard to cope with the squeeze on living standards. This is why, in addition to the £90 million we are spending this year on the introduction of the child benefit scheme, we have just announced an increase in the rate of child benefit for next April which will put over £300 million extra into their pockets.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in view of the fact that his Press advertisement headed

"You have until 11 th May to decide to pay reduced-rate national insurance"

has led to the belief that women had until 11th May to decide whether to pay reduced-rate national insurance, whereas the decision date in some cases was 6th April, what steps he will take to help women who have been thus misled.

The advertisement was not misleading. It explained that married women and widows had until 11th May 1977 to opt out of paying full-rate contributions but that women paying the reduced rate could still change to the full rate with effect from the 6th April next following her giving notice of the change.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will publish his Department's conclusions on the report by the Central Policy Review Staff entitled "Population and the Social Services".

My Department is still considering the implications of the report for the services for which it is responsible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether it is still Government policy to nationalise sections of the pharmaceutical industry.

As I stated in my reply to the hon. Members for Burton (Mr. Lawrence) and Beeston (Mr. Lester) on 30th November 1976—[Vol. 921, c. 97] —the Government have no plans to nationalise any section of the pharmaceutical industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services by what percentage he estimates that social security benefits will, on average, have increased during the year from 1st August 1976 to 31st July 1977.

The year from August 1976 to July 1977 includes the general uprating of benefits in November 1976, at which pensions and other long-term benefits rose by 15 per cent. for a single person and 15·6 per cent. for a married couple, and short-term benefits by 16·2 per cent. for a single person and 16·1 per cent. for a married couple.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list what action is taken by his Department to ensure that those people who are entitled to social benefits are aware of their entitlement.

The Department publicises social benefits through the issue of ministerial speeches, replies to Questions in the House, Press releases, Press conferences, daily telephone contact with all the media, contact with voluntary organisations, television, newspaper and magazine advertising, posters in post offices, over 50 million leaflets a year, as well as including information in about 40 million pension and allowance books. About £1¾ million was spent on advertising and leaflets last year. In addition, over 550 local social security offices advise about benefit, and the publicity material is being constantly looked at to make a clearer presentation of the information.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish the names of the members serving on the Kessel Committee with their qualifications; and when he expects to receive the report.

The names of members of the Advisory Committee on Alcoholism were listed in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Kilroy-Silk) on 26th January.—[Vol. 924, c. 683–4.]The members contribute a wide range of experience from the healing professions, social services, industry, voluntary organisations and the administration of justice and they share a concern for problems related to alcohol.The committee is expected to report before March 1978.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now review the level of pensions twice a year.

No. I am satisfied that annual upratings of pensions and other benefits remain appropriate.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the last pay rise was given to nurses employed in the National Health Service; if they have received all the normal additions under phase 1 and phase 2 of the pay policy; and if he will make a statement.

The Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council has agreed the payment of the maximum supplement payable under phase two with effect from 1st April 1977. Nurses had previously received the maximum amount payable under phase 1.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many outstations are currently in use by the Office of Population Censuses and Sur- veys; in how many cases these outstations are accommodated in private residential property; and whether, in such cases, the necessary planning permission is obtained in advance.

There are seven outstations currently in use by OPCS and four of them are accommodated in private residential property. In two of these one employee of OPCS is working alone in her own home, and so no planning permission is required. In the other two the householder is joined by four out-workers for half the day and because of this planning permission is being sought by the householders in question.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, and to what extent, the increase of 10 per cent. in television rentals was taken into account in calculating the new rates of retirement pension and similar benefits.

Increases in television rentals are reflected in the general index of retail prices and are thus among the items taken into account in calculating the November 1977 benefit rates. The Government's expectation is that these rates will be fully sufficient to compensate pensioners and other beneficiaries for price rises, as measured by the index, since November 1976.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what account officers of his Department take of allegations from employers regarding jobless persons, that they have deliberately got themselves sacked in order to live off social security benefits, when deciding the amount of benefits such persons are due.

When unemployment benefit is claimed by a person whose employment has recently terminated, an inquiry as to the circumstances of the termination is made of the last employer; and, if the employer's response suggests that the claimant deliberately acted so as to get himself discharged, the insurance officer will consider whether the claimant can be said to have left his employment voluntarily without just cause, or whether he lost his employment through his misconduct. If the insurance officer so finds, the claimant will be disqualified from receiving unemployment benefit for up to six weeks, and any supplementary benefit payable during the period of disqualification may be reduced by up to £5·08 a week.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, if he has reached any conclusions on the problems created by the location of the Social Security Office at Minerva Street, Glasgow.

The Department's central office, Scotland, is reviewing its procedures for handling at this office claims from people living in lodging houses or of no fixed abode. I will write to my hon. Friend when the report has been made and I have studied it.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much public money is to be spent in England and Wales in the current financial year on family planning services; and whether he will make a statement about progress made and proposed to be made in implementing Section 4 of the National Health Service Reorganisation Act 1973.

The estimates for 1976–77 and 1977–78 have been revised in the light of more recent information and are now £34 million and £41 million, respectively; I cannot otherwise add to my reply to the hon. and learned Gentleman on 5th April 1977.—[Vol 929, c. 485.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what date the new ward and theatre block at Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham, due for completion in August 1977, will be brought into operation, so as to relieve overcrowding in other parts of the hospital.

The matter is under consideration and I will let the hon. Gentleman have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to stop the distribution of Enterovioform until after the present urgent examination by the Committee on Safety of Medicines is concluded.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will stop the sale of Enterovioform until he gets the results of the review being carried out by the Committee on Safety of Medicines.

I will let my hon. Friends have a reply as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will institute a national inquiry into the condition, treatment and staff-patient relations within psychiatric hospitals.

No, but as my hon. Friend is aware, we have set up a high-level working group on the organisation and management problems of mental illness hospitals, which we believe are at the heart of many of the difficulties of mental illness hospitals.