§ 37. Mr. Popplewellasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the overcrowding of patients in mental deficiency hospitals within the Northern Region Hospital Board area and that 947 mental defectives are awaiting admission to hospital; and if he will increase the capital expenditure allocation for next year to this Board to enable them to provide the additional accommodation necessary to deal with this problem.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodYes. As I informed the hon. Member on 2nd July, I have approved in principle proposals to begin next year the provision of 200 beds for mental defectives in the region. The estimated cost of the proposals is £100,000, which will be met from the central fund of £1 million specially allocated next year for capital expenditure on the provision of beds for mental cases. The Regional Hospital Board's own allocation is also being increased next year by over £40,000.