HC Deb 28 April 1955 vol 540 cc1045-7
6. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that a medical report by the Principal Medical Officer of Brixton Prison, dated 14th February, 1953, stated that a prisoner, whose name has been made known to him, was sane and fit to stand trial on a charge of attempting to murder his wife, and recommended him as suitable for voluntary treatment in a mental hospital; that, at his trial five days later, this man was found guilty but insane and ordered to be detained during Her Majesty's pleasure, and that he is still detained at Broadmoor, where his wife and other relatives have found him in apparently normal health; and if, in these circumstances, he will allow an independent medical examination of this patient.

Major Lloyd-George

The responsibility for deciding when a Broadmoor patient is fit to be transferred or discharged rests on the Home Secretary; and my predecessors and I have consistently taken the view that the expert staff of psychiatrists at Broadmoor, who have the patient under constant observation, are in a better position than an outside doctor to advise the Home Secretary on the patient's mental state and future prospects. The answer to the last part of the Question is, therefore, "No, Sir."

Mr. Driberg

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that Dr. Mathieson, of Brixton, also said that this man was suffering simply from a mild anxiety neurosis, which should yield to proper psychiatric treatment, but that since he has been in Broadmoor he has had no such treatment whatever? It is obviously impossible for the very efficient and conscientious staff at Broadmoor to give proper psychiatric treatment to the very large number of patients with whom they have to deal. In the circumstances, will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider either getting an independent opinion or transferring the man to a mental hospital where he can be treated?

Major Lloyd-George

As the hon. Members knows, these cases are very difficult. I am aware of the opinion to which he has referred and I have, of course, gone into the case myself with great care. On the information I have, I do not think anything can be done. But I am prepared to look at the matter again, and I will do so.