§ CAPTAIN NORTONOn behalf of the hon. Member for Pontefract, I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been directed to the injuries recently inflicted upon an attendant by a patient in Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum; and if he can say whether precautions were taken to ensure the safety of the attendant in question while in the execution of his duty.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. AKERS DOUGLAS, Kent, St. Augustine's)I have had a Report made to me on this occurrence, and find that for some days previously special precautions had been taken to prevent danger from this particular patient, but that the attendant in question (though specially warned a few hours before the attack) failed to exercise the necessary caution. I am satisfied that very great care is used at Broadmoor to prevent injury being caused by the patients to themselves or their attendants, and the occurrence in question must be regarded as one which no possible care could altogether preclude in an asylum such as Broadmoor.
§ CAPTAIN NORTONMay I venture to hope that the right hon. Gentleman will see that the special claim of this man to a suitable pension is favourably considered?
§ [No answer was returned.]