§ 36. Mr. LANGasked the Home Secretary if his attention has been drawn to the escape from Devizes Mental Hospital of a patient named Littleton Watson; is he aware that this patient was transferred to Devizes from Broad moor Criminal Lunatic Asylum a year ago; and will he state the conditions under which such transfers are made?
§ Mr. CLYNESI have seen a newspaper report. The escape of a patient who is not a criminal lunatic would not be reported officially to me. The patient in question, while under sentences for stealing and false pretences, was certified insane and removed to Broadmoor, as a criminal lunatic. When his sentences expired in October, 1928, he ceased to be a criminal lunatic; but as he was still insane, he was re-certified under the ordinary lunacy law and received into the Devizes Mental Hospital. This is the course prescribed by Statute.
§ Mr. LANGWith regard to the second part of the question, is it a fact that prisoners who are committed to Broadmoor on murder charges and found insane are transferred to county mental hospitals?
§ Mr. CLYNESThat is a new point, and I shall be glad to consult my hon. Friend on it.