25. Mr. ERSKINEasked the Minister of Health whether he proposes initiating legislation to deal with cases of marriage of mentally defective and unfit persons?
§ The MINISTER of HEALTH (Mr. Chamberlain)I cannot undertake at present to initiate legislation on this matter, which involves far-reaching and controversial issues.
§ Mr. CRAWFURDWhen the right hon. Gentleman does consider legislation of this sort, will he consider making it retrospective?
§ 28. Mr. R. MORRISONasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the statement contained in the annual Report of the Board of Control that there are 20,000 mental defectives for whom institutional care is required but is unobtainable; and what action he proposes to take?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINMy attention has been called to this statement. Many local authorities are making further provision, and others are being urged to take action, in so far as is practicable in the present financial position. I anticipate that one of the results of the scheme of local government reform will be that local authorities will have spare accommodation available for this and other services of public health.