§ 27. Captain J. A. L. Duncanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons there are in mental hospitals in Scotland at the latest convenient date.
§ 28. Captain Duncanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons there are in mental hospitals in Scotland who are voluntary patients.
§ 29. Captain Duncanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons are in mental hospitals in Scotland who are certified as suffering from senile decay.
§ Captain DuncanIn view of these statements, does my hon. and gallant Friend not think that the right policy for dealing with old people who are not certifiable is to encourage the development of old peoples' homes, rather than taking the line proposed in the Bill presented by the hon. Lady the Member for Coatbridge and Airdrie (Mrs. Mann).
§ Mrs. MannIs my hon. and gallant Friend aware—[HON. MEMBERS: "Friend?"] I should have said hon. and gallant Gentleman, of course, but I have known him for 25 years, and we have always been friends; it is very difficult to look upon him otherwise. I ask that the hon. and gallant Gentleman will give certificates issued for senility. In view of the large number—22,000, of whom over 40 per cent. are people over 60 years of age—is it too much to ask for an additional certificate of senility? I have certificates here. They are for lunatics, idiots, and the mentally unsound. [Interruption.] Hon. Members opposite can have some if they want them. There are two doctors here on this side of the House willing to be witnesses. Does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman think it would be a simple matter to introduce a fourth certificate merely for senility? That is all the Bill asks for. Can we have his blessing on the Bill?
Commander GalbraithThe hon. Lady is perfectly correct in saying that there is no separate certification, but I think she would not expect me to comment on a Bill she is presently going to introduce.