§ 103. Dr. Winstanleyasked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied with the machinery for consultation between his Department and the Department of Education and Science for the planning of comprehensive services for the mentally handicapped; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonYes. The planning of services for the mentally handicapped is kept under review by both Departments.
§ 105. Mr. Braineasked the Minister of Health what steps he proposed to take, in the light of the publication of the Report of the Committee of Inquiry on Staffing Problems of Residential Institutions, to provide training for staffs of hostels for the mentally disordered.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonI propose first to consider the recommendations of this report in the light of the views of those directly responsible for the provision of residential accommodation for this and other groups.
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§ Mr. Hoosonasked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that local authorities are releasing staff for training as teachers of the mentally handicapped, in accordance with the terms of the letter sent to them by his Department in 1965.
§ Mr. SnowA recent inquiry showed that 126 local authorities in England and Wales second staff to training courses for teachers of mentally handicapped children and 97 to courses for instructors of adults. The number of staff qualifying for the Diploma of the Training Council for Teachers of the Mentally Handicapped is expected to increase from 144 in 1965 to around 300 this year. The Training Council hope to encourage secondment of untrained staff by local authorities on an increasing scale.
§ Mr. Moonmanasked the Minister of Health how many mentally disabled persons there are in the community, and from what sources he obtains this figure.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonThe total number in the communnity is not known, but returns from local health authorities in England and Wales showed that 174,304 mentally disordered persons were under their care or supervision at 31st December, 1966.