§ 14. Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what increased expenditure he is proposing for 1969–70 on research into the causes and treatment of mental illnesses.
§ Mr. CrossmanMy Department's programme for 1969–70 is still under consideration, but the expenditure this year on research projects already approved into mental illness, mental subnormality and addiction amounts to about £120,000. In addition, £100,000 is being contributed towards the cost of experimental forms of service. These amounts are respectively about one-third and one-sixth higher than in 1968–69.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerAs half the beds in hospitals are occupied by the mentally ill, despite the efforts of the Mental Health Research Fund and other voluntary organisations, does the right hon. Gentleman agree that these sums, direct or through the Medical Research Council, are inadequate to meet the problem?
§ Mr. CrossmanIt is true that in this area we need more research and, I should add, more concentration of medical talent. We shall not get the research unless it is thought that these are areas where ambitious and vigorous men can make good as doctors. I am trying to combine making them attractive to medical superintendents, on the one side, and doing research on the other. Research has to extend into community services, because I want to stop institutionalisation and get people out of hospitals, not into them.