§ 21. Mr. R. RICHARDSONasked the Minister of Health whether he proposes in his new Mental Bill to introduce into England the Section of the Scotch Lunacy Act which authorises without certification the compulsory detention of an individual for six months in a mental institution on the word of one doctor without any provision for inquiry or appeal?
§ The MINISTER of HEALTH (Sir Alfred Mond)No such provision is in contemplation. I must not, however, be taken as accepting the hon. Member's interpretation of the Scottish Act in question, the proper construction of which is, I understand, a matter of considerable doubt.
§ 22. Mr. R. RICHARDSONasked the Minister of Health the number of voluntary boarders in licensed houses and registered mental hospitals, respectively, in England at the present time and the same for Scotland; how many have been certified during the past year; what was the longest, shortest, and average length of their residence in a private asylum; and how many of the whole number of boarders have left of their own accord during last year?
§ Sir A. MONDOn the 1st January, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 127 voluntary boarders in licensed houses and 165 in registered hospitals in England and Wales. One hundred and sixty-nine voluntary boarders were certified during 1921 and 421 left of their own accord. The period of residence varies from a few days to several years, and the average is probably under six months. As regards the Scottish figures I would refer the hon. Member to the Secretary for Scotland.