HC Deb 23 June 1953 vol 516 cc133-4W
Mr. E. Wakefield

asked the Minister of Health (1) to what extent his regulations provide that county medical officers of health should be responsible for finding institutional accommodation for mentally deficient children;

(2) to what extent his regulations provide that regional hospital boards should be responsible for finding institutional accommodation for mentally deficient children.

Mr. Iain Macleod

This is not governed by regulations. The responsibilities of local health authorities under the Mental Deficiency Acts include those of ascertaining which persons in their area are defectives subject to be dealt with under the Acts. They inform regional hospital boards about those who need admission to institutions, and advise on relative urgency of admission. Regional hospital boards arrange with the institutions for the allocation of vacancies in the light of the advice received from local health authorities and their own medical advisers.