§ 18. Mr. Hopkinsasked the Minister of Health what steps he has taken, under Section 17 (1) of the Mental Health Act, 1959, to inspect the Frenchay Manor 9 mental home with a view to ascertaining the number of children in the home; the number of children withdrawn by the Gloucestershire County Council; the extent to which the home falls below the standards laid down in his regulations; and the action taken to remedy these defects.
§ Mr. BraineI understand the county council has inspected this home several times in the last year and drawn attention to staffing, sanitary and other deficiencies which are being remedied.
§ Mr. HopkinsWhile thanking my hon. Friend for that answer, may I ask him how many children have been removed by the Gloucestershire County Council during the past year, and would he not agree that the home is fulfilling a very valuable work in caring for subnormal children?
§ Mr. BraineI understand that since the beginning of this year one mentally subnormal child and seven normal children have left in the ordinary course of events. With regard to the second part of the supplementary question, the answer is, Yes. As I have indicated, such defects as existed are being remedied, and I am advised that the children in the home seem well cared for and happy.