§ 36. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Health, in view of the distress and hardship in many homes owing to the lack of institutional accommodation for mentally defective children, what steps are being taken to secure the necessary accommodation both now and after the war.
§ Mr. WillinkThe scarcity of materials and labour makes it impracticable to provide newly built accommodation for mentally defective children at the present time, but local authorities have been invited to submit proposals for acquiring and adapting suitable houses to meet their most pressing needs. The provision of accommodation to meet the post-war needs of these children is already under consideration, but the extent of such provision must necessarily depend upon the conditions then existing.
§ Mr. SorensenIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that this shortage of accommodation is becoming increasingly acute? Could he not recommend the same procedure being adopted for these sufferers, as is recommended in tuberculosis cases?
§ Mr. WillinkThe two problems are not precisely the same. Only the other day I told the House that I realised the difficulties of the shortage of accommodation. I hope that an invitation to local authorities to acquire suitable houses for the less serious cases will help.
§ Mr. SorensenHas a circular been sent round to the various local authorities?
§ Mr. WillinkYes, Sir.
§ Mr. BowlesWill the local authorities who acquire this accommodation, become the owners, or will it come under the Board of Control or the Ministry of Health?
§ Mr. WillinkI cannot recollect at the moment the precise terms of the Circular. I think the proposition was that they 923 should lease these properties, which should not be a permanent type of accommodation.
§ Mr. Rhys DaviesWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman bear in mind what is almost more important, that some of these institutions are being closed down because of lack of staff?