HC Deb 07 May 1956 vol 552 cc68-9W
Mr. Collick

asked the Minister of Health when he anticipates the old Heswall nautical school building will be ready to receive its first group of mental patients; and, having regard to the urgent Birkenhead cases needing institutional accommodation, if he will do everything possible to hasten its opening.

Mr. Turton

I am not satisfied that the acquisition of these premises would be justified. The building is at present unsuitable for a mental deficiency hospital and would require extensive alterations before it could be brought into use. It could not offer any substantial early relief for the urgent cases the hon. Member has in mind, and 1 am instead examining other possibilities which are likely to produce additional mental deficiency beds more quickly.