asked the Minister of Health to what extent mental hospitals in London and the Home Counties are overcrowded; approximately what proportion of beds and wards is not being used through lack of staff; and whether recruitment for mental hospital service is progressing or retrogressing.

The accommodation in use is overcrowded by 4,048 beds (approximately 11 per cent. of the total). The proportion of bed space available but not being used through lack of staff is 4.1 per cent. Separate figures for wards not in use for this reason are not available. The recruitment of nurses is progressing; in 1948 there were 15 per cent. more nurses employed in these hospitals than in 1945.