§ 87. Mr. W. J. Brownasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the serious understaffing at the State Mental Institutions at Broadmoor, Rampton, and Moss Side which is resulting in additional duties for the staffs concerned; that the risk of assault on members of the staff is increasing and, in one institution, the number of actual assaults has increased; and what steps he proposes to take to put an end to this situation.
§ Mr. BevanI am aware of the shortage of staff in mental institutions generally; but it is less acute at the State Institutions than elsewhere. Constant efforts are made to keep the staff at full strength. I am making inquiries into the points raised in the other parts of the Question; and, in the meantime, I do not accept the implication.