HC Deb 05 March 1956 vol 549 cc1701-2
44. Mr. Collins

asked the Minister of Health what percentage of all hospital beds in England and Wales are used for mental and mentally-deficient patients; and, in 1954–55, what proportion of the total capital expenditure on hospitals, and of total hospital expenditure, was allocated to mental and mental-deficiency hospitals.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

About 43 per cent., 25 per cent. and 20 per cent.

Mr. Collins

Does not this reply indicate that far too small a proportion, particularly of capital expenditure, in relation to the number of patients is going to the mental hospitals out of the funds available to regional hospital boards? Will not the hon. Lady ask her right hon. Friend to make representations to the regional boards to see that there is a more equitable distribution of funds to mental hospitals and mental deficiency institutions?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

There has already been a substantial increase during the past three years. The figure for mental hospitals for the years up to 1954 was only 10 per cent. and is now 16 per cent. It was 6 per cent. and is now 9 per cent. for mental-defective hospitals. I think it fair to point out that as a result of this increase there are 4.470 mental deficiency beds in the programme now under way and 1,180 for the mentally sick, which is more of an advance than in the previous programme.

Mr. K. Robinson

Would not the hon. Lady agree that this increase—welcome as it is, though small—was only the result of the guidance given by the Minister to help the regional boards, and does not she think that the time has arrived for the Minister to advise a higher percentage to the regional boards for the future?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

If one considers it on the basis of 6,000 beds in the programme of new hospital building, it is a very fair slice of the total building programme.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Does not the hon. Lady realise that even a large percentage of the miserably small total capital expenditure is still thoroughly unsatisfactory for these purposes?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

It is vastly more than the hon. Gentleman and his party ever did.

Mr. Blenkinsop

No.