§ 79. Mr. Grovesasked the Minister of Health whether he will inquire into the circumstances attending the accident to Gerald A. H. Wood, aged five, who was admitted on nth March to Botley's Park Colony, Chertsey, for treatment under the Mental Deficiency Acts, and who, on 23rd April, swallowed some ink and became seriously ill; and whether he will inquire why the superintendent of the institution declined to give any information to the parents as to why such fluid was in the child's reach?
§ Mr. ElliotI have made inquiries and my information is that on 23rd April, while being visited by his mother, this child fainted, and was ill for about 24 hours. He received immediate medical attention. It was suggested by another patient in the same villa that the child had swallowed ink, and although there was no evidence of this, such as staining of the lips or mouth, careful examination and laboratory tests were made. These 2625 established that the child had not swallowed ink. The position was fully explained to the parents.