HC Deb 03 March 1936 vol 309 cc1196-7
76. Mrs. TATE

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities have made use of their powers under the Mental Treatment Act, 1930, to provide money for research into mental disorder and deficiency; and how much money they have provided?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

Owing to financial considerations, schemes have not yet been initiated under the specific provisions referred to; but the most recent record of the varied and extensive research work proceeding Public Mental Hospitals and Mental Deficiency Institutions will be found in Part II of the Board of Control's Report for 1934.

77. Mrs. TATE

asked the Minister of Health how much money was spent in Great Britain upon research into the causes of mental deficiency and disorder from public money and from voluntary, sources, respectively, in each of the years 1924 and 1934?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

I regret that this information is not available.

Viscountess ASTOR

Does the hon. Gentleman think that, owing to the appalling increase of mental deficiency, no consideration of finance ought to stop research into the causes of it?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

I think that that is so, and a great deal of money has been spent in various researches.

Mr. MESSER

Was the return of the Government an indication of the increase?