HC Deb 10 August 1914 vol 65 cc2237-8
8. Sir JOHN JARDINE

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to any cases where an alleged lunatic, not having been personally seen by a magistrate, has been deprived of his right to the intervention of a judicial authority owing to neglect on the part of a manager of a private institution for lunatics to deliver to the patient under his care the notice of right of appeal required by Section 8 of the Lunacy Act; and if he will state what arrangements will be made to prevent such occurrences in future?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)

One alleged case of this kind has been brought to my notice. Such cases would not in the ordinary course be brought to my notice, as my sanction is not required for a prosecution, or a warning or other step deemed proper by the Board of Control. A few instances have come to the knowledge of the Board, who are contemplating taking steps for rendering such omissions most unlikely and for bringing them, should any occur, to the notice of the Board at once.