HC Deb 16 March 1944 vol 398 cc380-1
18. Mr. Bowles

asked the Minister of Health what steps are taken to ensure that young people detained under the Mental Deficiency Act, 1913, are not detained for their lifetime.

Mr. Willink

The law requires these cases to be brought under review from time to time, in order to ensure that they are not detained unnecessarily. I am sending my hon. Friend a memorandum by the Board of Control, setting out in detail the procedure by which this review is effected.

Mr. Bowles

I addressed this Question to the Home Secretary, because he is the person who commits people to these colonies. May I be told whether a person who has been detained, say, for a year before the next review takes place, and who still does not know how many pennies there are in a half-crown—which is one of the questions put to these people—is taught such things?

Mr. Willink

The actual education of these people hardly arises on this Question. If the hon. Member will look at the Memorandum which I am sending him and then ask any further questions, I shall be glad to answer them.

Mr. Bowles

In view of the fact that I have a large number of these cases, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Motion for Adjournment. I hope that not only the right hon. and learned Gentleman but also the Home Secretary will be present on that occasion.