Viscountess ASTORasked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the cases of mental defectives in Plymouth who are in urgent need of institutional care and for whom no vacancies can be found; and whether, in view of the fact that the present position has arisen owing to Plymouth having no institution of its own, he will see if it is possible to arrange temporary accommodation for urgent cases?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe answer to the first part of the question in the affirmative. The responsibility for making proper provision for mental defectives rests with the local authority, but the Board of Control have made suggestions with regard to the provision of temporary accommodation pending the provision of a colony jointly by the Borough of Plymouth and other local authorities. Any suitable proposal by the local authority will receive favourable consideration.