§ 68. Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what facilities exist in the Sudan for the detention and treatment of persons certified as insane; and whether it is the practice in the Sudan to detain such persons in ordinary prisons?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI understand that there are no regular lunatic asylums in the Sudan, but that, as regards Europeans, mild cases of insanity are dealt with in the hospitals, while violent or dangerous cases are sent to Cairo as soon as possible, being housed in such accommodation as may be available en route, and being admitted to an institution on arrival there. Cases of insanity amongst Sudanese are always, when possible, sent to their homes, recourse being only had to hospitals, prisons or such accommodation as is available locally, in violent or dangerous cases.
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEIn view of that answer, will the hon. Gentleman take steps to see that some accommodation is available for lunatics in the Sudan, and does he not consider that it is a very serious thing for lunatics to be set free?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI have given the hon. Gentleman what I understand to be the general situation. We have no actual details at the Foreign Office, and, if details were required, 232 reference would have to be made to the Sudan Government. I am quite prepared to do that if it is desired.