§ 33. Mr. Liptonasked the Minister of Labour what action he is taking to reduce the waiting period of six months for applicants with epilepsy seeking admission to the residential rehabilitation centre at Egham, Surrey.
§ Mr. GodberI am considering whether more residential accommodation is necessary at the Egham Unit, and the availability in other parts of the country of lodgings suitable for epileptics is being investigated with a view to other units taking some of those waiting for admission.
§ Mr. LiptonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this operates very hardly in the case of people who are waiting? May I send him details of one of my constituents who has been told that he has to wait for six months? He is an epileptic case and is very anxious to be rehabilitated, and six months is rather too long to wait.
§ Mr. GodberI have a great deal of sympathy in this matter, but these 31 epileptic cases are very difficult. This is the only residential centre that we have for them, and we sometimes get waiting lists. I should be glad to look into any case sent to me to see whether I can help.