HC Deb 24 October 1946 vol 428 cc14-5
11. Mr. Wilson Harris

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the strictures passed in the Report of the Curtis Committee on the Care of Children on the treatment of children in many public assistance institutions; by what local or central authority these institutions are inspected; whether there has, in fact, been regular inspection; and whether the facts cited were known by his Department.

Mr. Bevan

Yes, Sir. These institutions are supervised by county and county borough councils and inspected by my inspectors. During the war the frequency of inspections had to be reduced and many of the defects found could not be easily remedied, but my Department and the authorities did their best under wartime conditions to maintain a proper standard.

Mr. Wilson Harris

I am sure the right hon. Gentleman feels quite as strongly about this as anyone could, but does he mean that the revolting conditions disclosed in this report could exist and go on existing without anyone in a position to alter them knowing about them; if so, can he give the House a definite assurance that any steps taken under this report will provide absolute safeguards against any child being subject to these conditions in future?

Mr. Bevan

The hon. Member and the House generally will probably have an opportunity of considering the whole matter and they will then be able to satisfy themselves whether our proposals are sufficient to prevent a recurrence of these unhappy incidents. But I would like to say that I hope hon. Members will not convey the impression, either by what they say or by what they publish, that this state of affairs is universal, otherwise we should lose very many of the devoted workers who are at the moment feeling that they have been tainted by the general atmosphere.

Mrs. Leah Manning

In view of the last remark of the right hon. Gentleman, would it not be a good thing if he published the names of those institutions against which the worst of these strictures have been made and which have given rise to the greatest public indignation?

Mr. Bevan

I would like notice of that question, but I must point out that there are some difficulties connected with it. If evidence given to a Crown inquiry is to be published in this way it might stop such evidence ever being collected in future.

Mrs. Ayrton Gould

Is anything being done to put a stop to bad conditions, where it has been proved that they exist, pending the statement to be made in the House?

Mr. Bevan

Certainly; inspection is now proceeding more vigorously and efficiently than ever before and greater protection is given to these children.

Mr. Wilson Harris

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that the fact that an hon. Member thinks it proper to mention one or two of the outrages does not imply for a moment—

Mr. Bevan

I was not attempting in the very slightest to rebuke, but to protect the reputation of those who are devoted workers in this field.