§ 4. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Health what statistical records or estimates he has of the total number of mental deficients who are now awaiting admission into suitable institutions; whether this shows an increase or decrease during the past 10 years; to 14 what extent available beds have increased during that period; and what is the present prospect of reducing the average period of waiting before admission.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithThe number of mental defectives waiting for admission to hospital at the end of last year was 6,909. Comparable figures are not available for years before 1954 when the number was 7,033. In the past 10 years occupied beds have increased by about 8,000. The present building programme is designed to lead to reductions in the waiting time.
§ Mr. SorensenCan the hon. Lady say whether, in her estimation, there will be a considerable reduction in the number of mental defectives who ought to be having institutional treatment and are not getting it, and whether she feels that progress is being made in coping with this very difficult problem?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithThere are 8,000 more beds, and the waiting list has gone down. In the current programmes, there are 4,400 beds for mental defectives.