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Occupation Centres.
Occupation Centres have been established in many districts.
The Hoard of Control report that these Centres are still in the
experimental stage, but have already achieved a large measure
of success. Eighty of these Centres are controlled by voluntary
Associations, and three by Local Authorities. There are certainly
in West Ham a number of defectives of the type who should
benefit by attendance at such Centres. The Committee might
deem it advisable to consider the possibilities of an Occupation
Centre in this area.
There is much diversity of opinion as to the test method of
dealing with mental defectives. There are some who favour a
lethal chamber as the best method of ridding the Community of
Mental Defectives; others suggest sterilisation; others again,
complete incarceration. On the whole, it would appear that there
is no one method which has any outstanding advantage.
Mental Deficiency is a disease, the prevention of which is a
very involved problem, embracing many factors, both in respect
to the parents and to the child. Syphilis, Alcoholism, Consanguinity,
play an important part: it is, further, a matter for
investigation as to how far environment and other relative conditions
conduce directly and indirectly to mental derangement.
Colony Accommodation.
Very great difficulty is still being experienced in obtaining
suitable Institutional treatment for Defectives owing to the lack
of accommodation.
The question of providing a Colony of 490 beds at Ockenden
is being discussed by the West Ham Authorities. The number
of beds provided for is some 200 at least, in excess of (that
needed in this area, but no difficulty is expected to be experienced
in filling these with cases from neighbouring Authorities.

Preliminary plans are in course of preparation, and it is
proposed that the Colonv should comprise the following buildings:—
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