HC Deb 09 May 1932 vol 265 cc1553-4
44. Dr. WILLIAMS

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the case of Harold Lee, who, owing to the effects of sleepy sickness, was paralysed and crippled, and who, instead of being sent to a suitable home, was detained at Hampton, an institution for mental defectives, where he suffered ill-treatment which necessitated the removal of his right eye; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into the conduct of this institution in order to ensure that, in future, only cases in which radical mental defect is present are kept there?

Mr. E. BROWN

My right hon. Friend's attention has been called to this case. Harold Lee is feeble-minded and partially paralysed. He was sent, in the first instance, to a Residential Special School for Mental Defectives, his mother having stated that he was dangerous and beyond her control. Owing to his violent behaviour he could not be retained at the Special School, and was ultimately sent to the special block for children at Rampton. In May last year the patient, on his own admission, dislocated his own right eye and this injury necessitated its removal. There is no foundation for the allegation that this was due to ill-treatment. The circumstances of the case have been very fully examined, and my right hon. Friend does not consider that any further inquiry is called for. If the hon. Member desires any further information my right hon. Friend will be glad if he will communicate with him.