Mr. Watkinsasked the Minister of Health what is the procedure of the Welsh Regional Hospital Board for the dealing of applications by local health authorities for the admission of patients to institutions for mental defectives; how many are awaiting admission; how many of these have been recommended by local justices for urgent admission; and what is the responsibility of the board with regard to difficult cases pending admission.
§ Mr. MarquandApplications are dealt with in the order of relative urgency; 650 cases are awaiting admission; I am not aware that the magistrates make recommendations of the kind suggested; difficult cases awaiting admission could be provided with emergency accommodation under Section 15 of the Mental Deficiency Act, 1913.