§ Mr. GARDNERasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the serious lack of accommodation for mentally defective persons in Berkshire who urgently need institutional treatment, training and protection; and, as the Berkshire County Council has again refused to join in the scheme now under consideration by adjoining local authorities, what steps he proposes to take in order to ensure that the necessary accommodation is provided without delay?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am aware of the need for institutional accommodation for mental defectives in Berkshire, and I understand that the Board of Control have urged the county council to submit a scheme for the discharge of their statutory obligations. I have at present no1418W power to compel the county council to provide accommodation under the Mental Deficiency Act, but I hope that they will eventually agree to combine with the neighbouring authorities.