HC Deb 04 February 1957 vol 564 cc21-2
30. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Health why instructions have not been given to all mental hospitals to give receipts to patients engaged in remunerative employment outside the institution who are as a result required to make payments from their earnings towards their maintenance as in-patients; and whether he will take steps to remedy this unsatisfactory situation as soon as possible.

Mr. Vosper

All officers receiving money on behalf of a board or a committee must, by regulation, keep a receipt book, and it has not been thought necessary to give detailed instructions on this matter. I am, however, having further inquiries made into the matter.

Mr. Dodds

But if patients are sane enough to be allowed out to work outside the hospital grounds for rates of pay, and pay money out of those wages for their maintenance in hospital, how are we ever to rehabilitate people for the outside world if we do not get receipts for the money paid over? If they do not get receipts, is it any wonder that the Ministry has sent out a circular about the theft of Government money and patients' money in mental hospitals?

Mr. Vosper

I am not sure whether it is practicable in every case to give a receipt, but I am looking further into the matter.