§ 37. Mr. Proctorasked the Minister of Health if he will issue a statement giving details of all farm land taken from the control of mental hospital committees; his general policy for the future administration of these lands; and if he will introduce legislation so that farm land is not to be taken from the control of that part of his Department which administers mental hospitals.
§ Mr. TurtonMy policy is to dispose of farm land, the retention of which is not justified for hospital purposes. Out of the 26,500 acres of farm land at mental and mental deficiency hospitals on which a decision has so far been reached, about 15,000 acres will be disposed of by sale, lease or termination of lease. The farm land which remains will in many cases continue to be farmed by hospital authorities and in others will be used by them for market gardens for patients and other hospital purposes. In regard to the last part of the Question, I see no case for legislation.