§ Sir WILLIAM COLLINSasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the Reports of the Prison Commission and of the medical commissioner deploring the want of provision of accommodation under the Mental Deficiency Act for prisoners found to be of unsound or feeble mind, and the consequent retention amid criminal surroundings and among ill-conditioned persons of those who are not responsible for their actions; and what steps he proposes to take with a view to remove such persons from unsuitable prison treatment and associations?
§ Sir G. CAVEState institution for defectives had been provided at Moss Side, where it would have been possible to accommodate a large number of defectives on transfer from prison, but just when it was completed the urgent need of the Army Council for hospital accommodation made it necessary to lend these premises for use as a military hospital. In place of Moss Side a State Institution for women has been established at Farmfield, and proposals are now under consideration for opening another temporary State Institution for men and women. That more accommodation has not already been 2051W provided is due to difficulties arising from the War, including the difficulty of obtaining suitable male attendants.