HC Deb 10 December 1946 vol 431 cc959-61
21. Mr. G. Cooper

asked the Secretary of State for War on what grounds a decision has been made to remove qualified psychologists and psychiatrists from officer selection boards, in view of the fact that these experts devised the successful techniques now in use.

Mr. Bellenger

The function of the Service psychiatrist is to advise the executive authorities when matters of mental health and adjustment are in question. It is open to the presidents of officer selection boards to consult the Service psychiatrists, or specialists in other branches of the medical profession, if they find reason to do so. Psychiatrists and psychologists are both consulted in the formulation of the technique adopted by officer selection boards.

Mr. Cooper

Have psychologists and psychiatrists been dropped, or have they not been dropped? The answer does not make that point clear.

Mr. Bellenger

They have not been dropped, but they are not now necessarily members of these selection boards.

Mr. Cooper

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that the presence of psychologists and psychiatrists on these boards during the war won the confidence of the serving men, and did, in point of fact, increase the number of other ranks who applied for commissions? Will he look into this matter again, so that confidence is not undermined?

Mr. Bellenger

No, Sir. As long as the services of psychiatrists are made available, if necessary, that is all, I think, my hon. Friend can ask for. I may tell him that there was a good deal of objection to these psychiatrists among the men.

Brigadier Head

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all other ranks did not share the view of the hon. Member, and that some of them referred to the psychiatrists as "trick cyclists"?

Mr. Cooper

Was that on the part of senior officers or other ranks?

Mr. Bellenger

I am well aware of that, but I think we ought to get this question in its correct perspective. Psychiatrists were of great value in many cases.

47. Mr. Cooper

asked the Lord President of the Council when it is intended to publish the Report of the Ministerial Committee's Expert Committee on the work of psychologists and psychiatrists in the Services; and if he is aware that publication is now urgently necessary in view of an Army Council decision to remove psychologists and psychiatrists from officer selection boards.

The Lord President of the Council (Mr. Herbert Morrison)

It is intended to publish the report as soon as possible. With regard to the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply just given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War to Question No. 21.

Mr. Cooper

Will my right hon. Friend define what "as soon as possible" means? Does he really anticipate being able to publish this report during the course of the next few weeks or the next few months?

Mr. Morrison

I do not think it is wise for me to define "as soon as possible" in this particular instance.