Mr. Philip Dunne (Ludlow) (Con): On the subject of the elderly and where we should put them-I think that that was the point that the hon. Lady was just getting to-I hope that she will agree that what should not happen to the elderly and some of the most vulnerable in our society, the mentally ill, is what happened yesterday as a result of the decision made by Shropshire County PCT to close, at Ludlow community hospital, the only ward for the elderly mentally infirm available in my entire constituency, as a direct result of financial cuts. There is no clinical or patient need to close it, because the patients will be transferred to the only remaining Victorian asylum operating in England. The decision was taken purely for financial reasons-the result of the Government's mismanagement of the NHS.
Mrs. Cryer: Perhaps my hon. Friend the Minister will address the hon. Gentleman's comments, but I cannot; I do not know anything about it. Of course, yes, we must consider the care of the elderly very carefully.
