§ Captain C. Smithasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the present shortage of accommodation for mentally defective children in the county of Essex, as a result of which such children are being placed in hospitals for the chronic sick; and what action he proposes in this connection.
§ Mr. BevanI am aware of the shortage of accommodation to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, and, as I said on 25th October in answer to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Henley (Sir G. Fox), I hope to accord a high degree of priority to the provision of accommodation for mental defectives.
§ Mr. Nieldasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the shortage of accommodation throughout the country for mental defectives; and if he can hold out any hope of improvement in the situation.
§ Mr. BevanYes, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 25th October to the hon. and gallant Member for Henley (Sir G. Fox), of which I am sending him a copy.