§ Mr. Bodyasked the Minister of Health what plans he has for increasing the existing hospital accommodation for mentally defective children in Essex; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe Regional Hospital Board has provided 208 additional beds for mentally defective children since 1948, the majority of which are occupied by patients from Essex. It is hoped to provide a further 180 beds over the next three or four years. One hundred and fifty-one mentally defective children in Essex are at present awaiting accommodation. Four hundred and twenty-two mentally defective children— the majority from Essex—are at present accommodated in the region.