HC Deb 19 November 1925 vol 188 cc580-1
69. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Minister of Health whether, when Prince Ahmed Self-ed Din escaped from Ticehurst Asylum, detectives attached to the Special Branch of Scotland Yard were sent to France to effect his arrest; if he is aware that the Prince had been confined in asylums in England since 1902 and that repeated efforts to have the patient examined by independent specialists had been refused; and whether he will make a statement on the subject, in view of the fact that the Prince has established his sanity since leaving this country?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I would ask the hon. and gallant Member to address the first part of his question to the Home Secretary. As regards the second part, I am informed that Prince Ahmed was confined in an asylum in this country from July, 1900, to September, 1925. During that period he has been frequently seen by medical and legal Commissioners of the Board of Control. Within a year of his original detention a special visit was paid to him by a medical commissioner: and a similar special visit was paid as recently as July, 1924, when the commissioner was satisfied that the Prince was insane and properly detained. In September, 1924, the patient was examined by three independent special- ists, two being eminent alienists of this country and one a specialist from Zurich. They also expressed the view that the Prince was definitely of unsound mind. A further application for an examination by independent specialists was made to the Board in the same month but was declined because it was considered that another medical inquisition at such short interval might be detrimental to the patient's health. In regard to the third part of the question, I have no information relative to the statement that the Prince has established his sanity since leaving this country; but I am advised that, judged by the standard of conduct recognised in this country, he was undoubtedly insane at the time of his escape.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the first available opportunity.