§ 28. Captain GWYNNasked the Home Secretary if he can state how many soldiers have been admitted to county asylums since the War began; how many county asylums, with what total number of beds, have been handed over to wounded soldiers; and what proportion of the beds so handed over are at present allotted to nerve-shaken cases, certifiable and uncertifiable?
Mr. SAMUELI presume this question refers to the number of soldiers admitted to asylums which have been converted into war hospitals. The number of soldiers so admitted cannot be given without inquiry, but I will send it to the hon. Member when it is ascertained. The whole of eight asylums, an isolated portion of a ninth, and four borough asylums have, under the scheme of the Board of Control, been handed over to the War Office for use as war hospitals for the accommodation of sick and wounded soldiers. The number of insane patients displaced has been approximately 15,750, and some 21,000 beds have been provided for sick and wounded soldiers. This figure does not include about 3,000 beds for soldiers in a newly-erected county asylum handed over previous to occupation. Of the total beds handed over 1,570 in three of the above hospitals are at present allotted to nerve-shaken cases, certifiable and uncertifiable.
§ 57. Captain GWYNNasked the Secretary to the Local Government Board if he will state what the Statutory Committee on disablement propose by way of providing occupation for soldiers who have been discharged from the Army as suffering from nervous affection due to the War but who are not certifiable as insane; and whether he can guarantee that such men 2046 will not be placed under detention on account of their condition either by the civil or military authorities?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Hayes Fisher)As regards the first part of the question, I would refer to the answer given to the hon. Member for the Harbour Division of Dublin on Thursday last. As regards the latter part of the question, I am not sure precisely what authorities the hon. Member has in mind, but I am afraid I am not in a position to give any guarantee in the matter.
§ Colonel YATEAre any steps being taken to provide convalescent homes for the treatment of these men?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERThat is a matter which is now under very careful consideration by the Statutory Committee.
§ Captain GWYNNIf any of these men-are put into county asylums which have been set apart for them will they be then in a position of being under detention in a county asylum?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERThey would undoubtedly be in the position which the hon. Gentleman describes. We are endeavouring in all these cases to make arrangements with the managers of these asylums that they shall have separate treatment and more favourable treatment.
Captain GYWNNI am sorry to seem to press this: When county asylums are transferred from their ordinary uses of lunatics into being asylums for wounded soldiers, and are used for the reception of soldiers who are suffering from nerve shock, can it be arranged in those cases that the men shall not be subject to detention as ordinary lunatics?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERThey are not now.