§ 13. Mr. Collinsasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that owing to lack of suitable accommodation a number of psychotic children are housed in the same wards as adult patients in mental hospitals within the South-West Hospital Region; and if, in his plans for dealing with this problem, he will have due regard for the desirability of providing the necessary accommodation on a regional basis.
§ Mr. BevanThe South-Western Regional Hospital Board have recently made a careful inquiry into the question of accommodation for child psychotics in their region, and have been in consultation with my officers about it. I am informed that there are now only three 505 psychotic children in mental hospitals in the region, and efforts are being made to remove them to other accommodation. The answer to the second part of the Question is, "Yes."
§ Mr. CollinsDoes that mean that my right hon. Friend proposes to provide separate accommodation for psychotic children, and will that also cover the possibility of providing educational facilities?
§ Mr. BevanI am not able to reply offhand to the second part of the supplementary question, but certainly we do not consider it desirable to have these children in mental homes for adults.