§ 27. Mr. WEDGWOODasked the Home; Secretary whether, by the new Regulations issued in connection with the Mental Deficiency Act, local authorities are called on to ascertain not only the names of all defectives subject to be dealt with, but also information as to their mode of living and the care which exists or is needed in each case, and details as to their parentage and the age and mode of life of such parents; and, if so, how does this accord with his assurance that there, will be no black list prepared?
§ Mr. McKENNAIf my hon. Friend will look at Section 30 he will see that the Regulations do not go beyond the requirements laid down in the Act. It has probably escaped my hon. Friend's notice that the Regulations only relate to defectives subject to be dealt with under Section 2 (1) (b). I have strictly adhered to my promise that no general list should be kept of defectives other than those subject to be dealt with under Section 2 (1) (b).
§ Mr. WEDGWOODIs my right hon. Friend aware that this Regulation, as interpreted by a writer in the "Westminster Gazette," goes so far as to make complete black lists of all defectives, whether they come within the Act or not, and may I ask whether it is not a fact that there is no authority whatever in the Act to inquire into the parents' mode of life or manner of getting their living, and that these have been imported into the Regulations?
§ Mr. McKENNAI am not able to say what the writer in the "Westminster Gazette" has said about the Act; but the Regulations speak for themselves. If my hon. Friend will look at the Act, he will see, that the Regulations conform exactly with the provisions of Section 30.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODI have put down a petition against these Regulations being brought into law, and I should like to know whether we can discuss them one evening or not?
§ Mr. McKENNAThat is not a matter for me.