§ 27. Sir A. SHIRLEY BENNasked the Minister of Health whether the next-of-kin to private patients in mental institutions, including the next-of-kin to ex-service men, are informed by the lunacy authorities that they possess the privilege conferred upon them by Section 71 of the Lunacy Act, 1890, of directing the discharge of the patient provided he cannot be proved to be dangerous and unfit to be at large?
§ Sir A. MONDI assume that the hon. Member refers to Section 72 of the Lunacy Act, 1890. As regards private patients generally the Section provides for the discharge of the patient by the person on whose petition the reception order was made. As regards ex-service men, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 16th June to a similar question by the hon. Member for West Bromwich.