§ 27. Mr. Braineasked the Minister of Health the figures of recognised bed space set aside for mental defectives in England and Wales at the latest convenient date; the number of beds not used for lack of staff or other reasons; the number of defectives actually occupying beds; and the number awaiting admission, showing adults and children separately.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodUntil all the returns for 1st January, 1953, from local health authorities and regional hospital 391 boards are received, the most recent figures are those I gave to my hon. Friend on 2nd July, 1952.
§ Mr. BraineCan my right hon. Friend say when this information will be available, and, in the meantime, indicate broadly whether this situation has deteriorated materially—or improved, for that matter—since the summer?
§ Mr. MacleodOnly one or two returns have begun to arrive at my Ministry and it is probable that we shall not have full information until the end of February or the first week in March. The returns we have so far received are not adequate to answer the second part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopIs the right hon. Gentleman continuing to give the advice that was given to the regional boards by the late Government, to try to give special attention to this very serious problem within the very narrow field of available capital resources?
§ Mr. MacleodWe are doing everything we can to give this matter the priority it deserves.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in London and the Home Counties there is a very serious shortage of this type of staff? What steps is he taking to encourage recruiting in this extremely important field?
§ Mr. MacleodI am aware that the shortage is general. A considerable number of steps are being taken on the advice of my Mental Health Advisory Council and others; but if the hon. Member would like details perhaps he would put down a Question.