asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the serious shortage of accommodation for mentally defective children in the area served by the North East Metropolitan Hospital Board, he will authorise the board to proceed immediately with the erection of temporary accommodation.

I have received a preliminary inquiry on this subject from the Regional Hospital Board who have under consideration the provision of additional temporary accommodation at South Ockendon Colony; and I have asked them to prepare sketch plans so that the proposals may be considered in detail.