asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the present shortage of accommodation for mentally defective children in the county of Essex, as a result of which such children are being placed in hospitals for the chronic sick; and what action he proposes in this connection.

I am aware of the shortage of accommodation to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, and, as I said on 25th October in answer to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Henley (Sir G. Fox), I hope to accord a high degree of priority to the provision of accommodation for mental defectives.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the shortage of accommodation throughout the country for mental defectives; and if he can hold out any hope of improvement in the situation.

Yes, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 25th October to the hon. and gallant Member for Henley (Sir G. Fox), of which I am sending him a copy.