HC Deb 06 August 1913 vol 56 cc1673-4

The following classes of persons who are mentally defective shall be deemed to be defectives within the meaning of this Act:—

(a) Idiots; that is to say, persons so deeply defective in mind from birth or from an early age as to be unable to guard themselves against common physical dangers;

(b) Imbeciles; that is to say, persons in whose case there exists from birth or from an early age mental defectiveness not amounting to idiocy, yet so pronounced that they are incapable of managing themselves or their affairs, or, in the case of children, of being taught to do so;

(c) Feeble-minded persons; that is to say, persons in whose case there exists from birth or from an early age mental defectiveness not amounting to imbecility, yet so pronounced that they require care, supervision, and control for their own protection or for the protection of others, or, in the case of children, are incapable of receiving proper benefit from the instruction in ordinary schools;

(d) Moral imbeciles; that is to say, persons who from an early age display some permanent mental defect coupled with strong vicious or criminal propensities on which punishment has little or no deterrent effect.

Amendments made: In paragraph (b) leave out the word "are" ["are incapable of receiving proper benefit"] and insert instead thereof the words "that they by reason of such defectiveness appear to be permanently."—[Mr. McKinnon Wood.]

In paragraph (d) leave out the word "has" ["has little or no deterrent effect"] and insert instead thereof the word "had" [Mr. McKinnon Wood.]

Clause, as amended, added to the Bill.