§ 18. Mr. Manuelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new hospitals are now needed to overcome the shortage of mental hospital accommodation.
§ Mr. T. G. D. GalbraithMost of the outstanding shortage relates to accommodation for particular classes of mental defectives. It should be very largely overcome by the extensions to existing hospitals which are in hand under the current building programme.
§ Mr. ManuelIs the hon. Gentleman sure that the local authority accommodation, the community care accommodation, which will arise under the new Mental Health (Scotland) Bill when it becomes law, will be adequately covered by the provisions for extensions which he has in mind? Has he ascertained whether or not we will need some completely new hospitals if we are to tackle the job efficiently when the Bill becomes law?
§ Mr. GalbraithI cannot agree with that. The present building programme will provide about 800 additional places, which ought to be about sufficient.