§ 20. Mr. Willisasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what additional accommodation was made available for mental defectives in the Scottish South-Eastern Region in 1957; and what additional accommodation it is expected to make available in 1958.
§ Mr. J. N. BrowneIn 1957 the total number of places for mental defectives in the region was increased by 36. This year my right hon. Friend expects a start will be made on a new unit of 62 beds at Gogarburn but it will not be available for occupation this year.
§ Mr. WillisDoes not the hon. Member agree that that progress is far too slow and that at this rate it will take about eight to ten years to provide the accommodation required? Can he speed up this matter?
§ Mr. BrowneI join with the hon. Member in his concern, but I can assure him that the regional board is doing all it can with its available resources.
§ 21. Mr. Willisasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects that institutional accommodation will be provided for the mental defectives at present resident in Westfield Park Home, Dalkeith.
§ Mr. J. N. BrowneMy right hon. Friend is informed that the mental defectives at Westfield are on the hospital waiting list and will be admitted according to the respective urgency of their cases. My right hon. Friend is afraid it is impossible to forecast dates for admissions.
§ Mr. WillisIs the hon. Member aware that some of these cases have been on the waiting list for ten years? Is it not time, in the interests of Westfield Park Home itself, that these people were provided with accommodation elsewhere? Is not the present position scandalous?
§ Mr. BrowneI am aware that what the hon. Member says is correct. He is aware of the overall shortage of mental deficiency accommodation. I can assure him that priority of admission is decided by an assessment panel on which the local authority is represented.
§ Mr. WillisOn a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Answer, I beg to give notice that I will try to raise the matter on the Adjournment.