HC Deb 20 July 1959 vol 609 c848
7. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the Minister of Health the estimated percentage of those who died through respiratory diseases throughout the country and for Stoke-on-Trent, Lancashire and Sussex, and the totals, respectively, for the years 1938 and 1958.

Mr. Walker-Smith

As the Answer contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, set these out in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following are the figures:

provided 513 additional beds for mentally defective patients since 1948, the majority of which are occupied by patients from Essex, and it is hoped to provide a further 170 beds within the next two years. In addition, the county council is considering the provision of some accommodation for cases needing residential but not hospital care.

Mr. Braine

While it is, of course, good news that the number of child mental defectives has decreased, the overall figure has. I understand, increased and there are still children in the county, in my constituency in particular, for whom accommodation is unable to be found. Will my hon. Friend ensure that effort is made to speed up the action which the county authority apparently contemplates taking?

Mr. Thompson

Yes, Sir.