§ 54. Miss Herbisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many mentally defective children are at present awaiting accommodation in a residential home.
§ Mr. MaclayThere are about 420 mentally defective children on the waiting lists of mental deficiency institutions in Scotland, but there is reason to believe that there are other children who might suitably be admitted to institutions if accommodation were available.
§ Miss HerbisonCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether part of the difficulty of finding accommodation for these people is the shortage of staff? If that is so, what action is his Department taking to overcome that difficulty?
§ Mr. MaclayIt is not staff but the availability of buildings which is the real problem; but I should like to consider the matter before giving a categorical answer to the hon. Lady.