HC Deb 28 January 1957 vol 563 cc650-1
35 Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Health (1) in view of the evidence submitted by the hon. Member for Erith and Crayford indicating that Miss Mary Betteridge had been certified and detained in a mental home on evidence that applied to another person, and also in view of the testimony that before certification she was above the normal standard of intelligence, on what grounds Miss Betteridge was certified; and what consideration has been given to the testimony submitted;

(2) in view of the testimony by the physician in charge, psychiatric department, Bromley Hospital, that he has examined Miss Mary Betteridge at St. Mary's Mental Hospital, Birmingham, and in his opinion there do not appear to be any grounds upon which she can be certified under the Mental Deficiency Act as a mentally defective person, what action he proposes to take with regard to Miss Betteridge;

(3) if he is aware that an incorrect diagnosis was made in the case of Miss Mary Betteridge, interpreting a psychological illness as a mental defect, and that the facilities at the mental institution in which she is detained do not provide the special treatment for a psychological illness; and what action is to be taken to give Miss Betteridge the treatment she requires.

Mr. Vosper

I would refer the hon. Member to the letters sent to him by my predecessor on 26th September, 1956, and 19th October, 1956. I am informed that this patient has now been granted leave of absence on licence from the hospital.

Mr. Dodds

Does the Minister appreciate that the testimony by the young woman's former employer, the family doctor and this authority from Bromley Hospital is directly opposite to that of the certifying officer? Has the Minister seen the girl's school-leaving certificate, which says, Mary is clean and is a member of the Health Brigade. During the past term she has been a School Prefect. She has attended school regularly and been very punctual. She is well-mannered and courteous. Does this add up to being a mental defective? Will the Minister state why so many young people, because of expediency, are sent into mental homes without treatment and often used as cheap labour?

Mr. Vosper

I have studied many of the documents in this case, and I am aware that there are two different opinions, but I am not satisfied that a wrong decision was taken. This patient is now on licence, and it would be wise to see how she gets on.

Mr. Dodds

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