§ 78. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Minister of Health how many persons, male and female, are at present in public or private lunatic asylums; how many of these are ex-service men; and how many are voluntary boarders or temporarily detained?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Major Baird)My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. On the 1st January, 1920, there were in public or private lunatic asylums in England and Wales 96,344 patients (males 42,294, females 54,050).
These included 3,739 ex-service men classified as "service" patients, and a small number of ex-service men whose classification as "service" patients the Ministry of Pensions had found themselves unable to sanction, or whose classification as such was pending.
There were on the same date 270 persons (males 108, females 102) voluntary boarders in private asylums, but none temporarily detained.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWould it be possible to concentrate these ex-service men in one or two establishments and give them special treatment?
§ Major BAIRDI am afraid I shall require notice of that question.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINHave we any statistics showing how many persons are at largo who ought to be in asylums?