§ 29. Lieut.-Colonel Cordeauxasked the Minister of Health how many children will be accommodated in the new children's villas now building at Balderton Hospital; and when it is expected that these villas will be completed.
§ Mr. Powell156 children. I expect the villas to be completed before the end of next year.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CordeauxIs my right hon. Friend aware that recently in my constituency there have been three particularly sad cases of mentally-deficient and severely-handicapped children who have been waiting for years for permanent hospital accommodation? In one case there has been a waiting period of over eight years, and in some cases parents have collapsed and become seriously ill as the result of keeping these children at home? Is he aware that their only hope is these new villas at Balderton, and will my right hon. Friend do all that he possibly can to see whether the building and staffing of the villas can be accelerated even further?
§ Mr. PowellI am aware of the urgent need for this accommodation and of the difficulties and burdens imposed on the families of children on the waiting lists. I expect the work to begin next month, and I will keep in touch with its progress.