HC Deb 15 February 1932 vol 261 cc1276-7
55. Captain WATT

asked the Minister of Health, if, in view of the social evil arising out of unrestricted propagation amongst mentally defectives and the consequent increase in the number of such persons, he is prepared to investigate the question of the sterilisation of the mentally unfit and, if desirable, to introduce legislation to eradicate the evil?

Mr. E. BROWN

The desirability of legislation could not, in my right hon. Friend's view, be determined until there has been a full and authoritative inquiry into the problems of mental deficiency, in which sterilisation is only one of several inter-related questions. But as a first step towards such an inquiry, my right hon. Friend proposes to arrange for a preliminary investigation of the scientific issues involved.

Dr. MORRIS-JONES

Is my hon. Friend in a position to announce the names of the members of the Committee?

Mr. BROWN

I am not in a position to add anything to the answer which I have given.