Charles Walker calls for a debate into the future funding of mental health services in Hertfordshire.

Mr. Charles Walker (Broxbourne) (Con): Will the Leader of the House find time for an urgent debate into the future funding of Hertfordshire mental health services? In the next financial year, the service faces a £5.5 million cut, which will put many of the most vulnerable in my constituency and across Hertfordshire at risk. I know that money is tight, but those cuts will hit the most vulnerable in the county.

Mr. Hoon: What is important is that the Government continue, as they have done, to provide extra funding and resources for the important facilities that the hon. Gentleman rightly recognises are being made available. The Government continue to provide more money for mental health services and other aspects of the health service than any Government in history. Clearly, that money is not unlimited; it has to come from taxpayers' pockets. However, the Government are proud of their record in that area and of the health service in general.

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