HC Deb 07 May 1953 vol 515 cc561-2
36. Mr. J. T. Price

asked the Minister of Health if he will order an investigation into the case of George Patrick Smith, who has been detained for approximately 16 years in a mental institution, following a short Borstal sentence when he was a boy, in circumstances of which the hon. Member for Westhoughton has given him details.

Mr. Iain Macleod

As the hon. Member is aware, the case of George Patrick Smith has been considered many times, and is kept under constant review. In the circumstances, I do not see the need for an investigation.

Mr. Price

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that this unfortunate man has now spent nearly half his life, since the age of 16, under detention and never had a chance in life at all? Is he aware that on many occasions he has escaped from detention, has served in the Army— in the Green Howards—without any complaint against him, passed the Army medical board, on another occasion, worked in the coal mines and was passed by the medical authorities governing employment in the coalmining industry? Is he aware that the man has been examined by a London specialist who expressed the opinion that he ought never to have been certified at all? Will the Minister reconsider the matter? Does the Habeas Corpus Act mean nothing at all in this country?

Mr. Macleod

As the hon. Member knows—because we have corresponded a great deal about this case and talked a great deal about it—I have been into this matter personally more than once. At his request, I asked the board of control to look particularly at the case of George Patrick Smith and a special medical investigation took place at the request of the hon. Member and was undertaken by a senior medical commissioner of the board. To go beyond that would be to say that I have no confidence in my board of control. That is not true; I have full confidence in them and must leave the matter there.

Mr. S. Silverman

In view of the extremely unsatisfactory and disturbing nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.