§ 24. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Health what progress has been made in granting the request of the hon. Member for Erith and Crayford to visit Miss Mary Betteridge, a patient in St. Margaret's Mental Hospital, Birmingham, in accordance with a request by Miss Betteridge and her foster-parents.
§ Mr. VosperI would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 18th March, to which I have nothing to add.
§ Mr. DoddsWill the Minister make it clear whether he knows that I am to be prevented from seeing this patient? Does he not know that I am aware of the strenuous efforts which have been made to ensure that I do not see the patient? Will he be forthcoming and tell the House whether I am to see the patient or not?
§ Mr. VosperI assure the hon. Member that I have made no effort to ensure that he does not see the patient in question, and I have no power to vary the decision of the medical superintendent in this respect.
§ Mr. SimmonsIs the Minister aware that a girl in my constituency is at present on leave from the same home and that her parents have been bullied by the visitors and were actually told, "We got Mary Betteridge back. We will get your daughter back "?
§ Mr. VosperI should like the hon. Member to give me particulars of the case.