§ 12. Mr. RENDALLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is possible for the War Office to continue indefinitely its present practice of retaining under the control of the Secretary of State all cases of nerve shock, including the graver forms of mental disorder which in civil life would be certified and sent to county asylums; and how any change of practice will affect those cases now under the Secretary of State's control?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe subject of the disposal of the more serious mental cases has been receiving consideration, and has caused the authorities considerable 440 anxiety. Owing to the increasing numbers of incurable cases, I have to say that it will not be possible to continue indefinitely the system of retaining, under the control of the Secretary of State cases of general paralysis, chronic epilepsy, and chronic insanity which have had previous asylum treatment. Such cases will in future be dealt with in the manner laid down in paragraphs 403, 404 and 408 King's Regulations. This new system will apply to the cases now under the Secretary of State's control in so far as they come within the three categories I have named.