§ 49. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Health how many of the patients com-pulsorily detained at the Darenth Park Mental Hospital, who could leave the mental hospital if suitable accommodation was available for them, are employed away from the hospital; how many receive wages of over £7 per week; and what is the highest average weekly wage received.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThirty-two, of whom 18 receive over £7 a week, the highest average weekly wage being £10 15s. 0d.
§ 60. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the concern arising from the disclosure that 125 people are being compulsorily detained at Darenth Park Mental Hospital who could leave if other suitable accommodation such as homes or hostels were available; and what action is being taken, and by whom, to release them from the atmosphere of a mental hospital.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI am not aware of any concern about the actual well-being of these patients. There is no question 89W of them being improperly detained or of hospital care being unsuitable; but provision of more suitable accommodation by local health authorities here and elsewhere will inevitably take time.