§ 39. Mr. LAMBERTasked the Minister of Health what is the estimated number of feeble-minded persons in Great Britain; what proportion is cared for in public institutions; and what is the total cost to the taxpayers and ratepayers?
Sir H. YOUNGThe number of mentally defective persons, including children, was estimated by the Wood Committee to be, approximately, 300,000. On 1st January, 1932, the total number of mental defectives actually ascertained by local authorities was 97,310, of whom 33,356 were in institutions or under guardianship. These figures relate only to England and Wales and any question relating to Scotland should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. With regard to the third part of the question, 300 I will communicate with the right hon. Member as soon as the necessary statistics are available.