HC Deb 05 November 1918 vol 110 cc1953-4W
Major H. TERRELL

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether any and, if so, what steps are being taken by the Administrative Committee of the Board of Control to fulfil its duties regarding the supervision of the administration by local authorities of their power and duties under the Mental Deficiency Act, 1913, the certification and approval of premises, the provision and maintenance of State institutions, and the administration of grants made out of moneys provided by Parliament under this Act?

Sir G. CAVE

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The annual report of the Board of Control for 1917, which was recently published contains on pages 53–71 a general review of the progress made in the administration of the Mental Deficiency Act. The financial stringency caused by the War has prevented most local authorities from establishing institutions; and defectives for the maintenance of whom they have a statutory duty have mostly been maintained in institutions provided by private societies or associatons or individuals, or by Poor Law authorities. There are, certified by the Board of Control or approved by them under Section 37, 144 such institutions providing accommodation for over 9,000 defectives. There are also twelve certified houses and twenty-two approved homes providing accommodation for 335 and 337 defectives respectively. The one State institution as yet established accommodates ninety-five female defectives; steps are now being taken towards the provision of a second State institution for males. Grants to 102 local authorities (Section 47) in the year ended 31st March, 1918, amounted to £55,485 and contributions towards the expenses of twenty-three societies (Section 48) to £2,266; the estimate of expenditure for similar services for the year ending 31st March, 1919, being £100,750 and £3,000 respectively. An administrative committee of the Board has not so far been appointed under Section 22 (5) of the Act, the duties of such a Committee as scheduled in the Act being carried out by the board itself.