§ 25. Mr. Brockwayasked the Minister of Health on what grounds the plan for a home for mentally-handicapped children at Bognor Regis was abandoned.
§ Mr. BrockwayI am very grateful to the hon. Lady for that reply, but is it not the case that a large London hospital wished to open a home for mentally-defective children at Bognor Regis, that two private schools objected to this and that, as a result, the local council reversed its decision? Can she inform the House what developments there have been?
§ Miss PittIt is the case that a London hospital has been given authority by its appropriate board to look for a convalescent home on the South Coast. Those concerned looked at the place to which the hon. Gentleman has referred but, on inspection, some doubt was expressed as to whether the local planning authority would agree to its being used for this purpose because of the two schools adjacent to it. Doubt was also expressed about whether the premises were of sufficient size. As a result, the hospital management committee did not proceed further to consider the building in question. No other proposal has come before my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonWould not the hon. Lady agree that projects of this kind are constantly being frustrated as a result of local difficulties being raised about siting, and about other properties? Is there anything gnat my right hon. Friend could do, perhaps in conjunction with the 30 Minister of Housing, to try to influence local planning authorities to be a little more sympathetic towards this kind of development?
§ Miss PittIt is, perhaps, a little unfair to say that they are constantly in difficulty. We have had another case before the House recently, I know, but what we can do to help in obtaining suitable premises, we certainly do.
§ Mr. BrockwayOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of that unsatisfactory reply, I beg to give notice that, if necessary, I will raise this subject at the first opportunity.