§ 51. Mr. GALLACHERasked the Minister of Health whether he will consider recommending to local authorities that they should alter the name of "asylums" and "mental hospitals" to "hospitals for nervous diseases" or some similar name, in view of the hardship caused to persons treated for short periods for nervous ailments who, nevertheless, are branded as lunatics for the rest of their lives?
§ Sir K. WOODThe Mental Treatment Act, 1930, prescribed that in England and Wales the term "mental hospital" should be substituted for "asylum." I do not think that it is necessary to modify the term "mental hospital." The large and increasing proportion of persons now applying voluntarily for treatment at these institutions suggests that the idea is rapidly disappearing that any stigma may be supposed to attach to treatment in them.
§ Mr. GALLACHERIs the Minister aware that there are young men and women who have unfortunately had to go into these institutions, and, when they apply for employment and it is known they have been in asylums, it completely handicaps them in getting work; and will he take steps to get the term "asylum" removed?
§ Sir K. WOODI do not think the hon. Gentleman heard my answer, which was to the effect that the term "mental hospital" is now being used instead of "asylum."