§ Squadron Leader Cooperasked the Minister of Health the number of mentally-defective children within the county of Essex for whom no institutional accommodation exists; and what steps are being taken to provide accommodation for these children.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe number of children awaiting admission to mental deficiency institutions in the county of Essex at 1st January, 1954. was 167. The regional hospital board have made provision in their current capital programme for the erection of a villa to accommodate 54 low grade males at South Ockenden Hospital and a further villa to accommodate 54 low grade patients (about half of whom will be children) will be provided at South Ockenden from the special allocation for mental services. A hospital block at South Ockenden is also under consideration. In addition, two properties are in process of adaptation which will accommodate about 74 patients, including about 25 children.