§ 31. Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Health if he will give any information about the practice of some institutions which look after mentally defective girls of allowing them to take jobs of daily service; and what safeguards are taken by these institutions to ensure that the homes in which the girls work are of a respectable type.
§ Mr. BevanIt has been the practice in mental deficiency hospitals to grant suitable patients licence on trial or leave of absence to daily situations. It is a valuable method of ascertaining the fitness of patients to return to community life. No patient is granted this until the superintendent and the hospital management committee are satisfied as to the suitability of the place to which the patient is going. Thereafter, the patient is visited by the social worker from the hospital or by an officer of the local health authority, and reports are furnished to the committee of management of the hospital.
§ Mr. JannerWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask him whether, in view of the fact that there have been some cases in which the proportions have not been sufficient for the purpose, he will inquire into those cases and see that these matters are dealt with to his complete satisfaction?
§ Mr. BevanI will certainly make inquiries into any instances which my hon. Friend may bring to my notice.