HC Deb 03 June 1957 vol 571 cc890-1
15. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Health the number of patients in Rampton State Institution; how many have never been before a court and, in this respect, what are the chief reasons for their detention with those of allegedly dangerous and violent propensities who have previously been in prison or before a court; and in what way mental defectives who have committed no wrong can be given under such conditions the treatment that will enable them to return to the community as useful citizens.

Mr. Vosper

The number is 1,074. Full information on how many have been before a court is not available, but 556 were not dealt with as mental defectives either by the courts or by the Secretary of State whilst being detained in prisons, approved schools, or elsewhere. They were sent to Rampton because of dangerous or violent propensities. Each patient is treated according to his individual needs, and when the medical superintendent reports that he no longer possesses these propensities the normal procedure is to transfer him to an ordinary mental deficiency hospital with a view to his subsequent return to the community.

Mr. Dodds

Is the right hon. Gentleman saying that there are patients at Rampton who have not been before the court who are of violent and dangerous propensities? Does he appreciate the difficulty of putting those who have not done any wrong with criminals at Rampton? Does he not think there should be some segregation?

Mr. Vosper

After all, Rampton is a hospital and all the patients there have either violent or dangerous propensities. They are treated according to that and not according to their origin. The hon. Gentleman has already asked whether he and some other hon. Members can go to Rampton. I am sure that if he does go there he will think that this is the right procedure.

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper:

16. Mr. DODDS

To ask the Minister of Health, in view of the assurances given in the introduction of Section 35 of the Mental Deficiency Act, 1913, that only dangerous and violent criminals would be detained in the Rampton State Institution, by what authority he detains at Rampton children and young people who are there on an application by their parents for institutional care only.

Mr. Dodds

As I am going to Rampton—[HON. MEMBERS: "To stay?"]—I shall not ask a supplementary question on this Question.

Mr. Vosper

Regulation 89 of the Mental Deficiency Regulations, 1948, provides that the Board of Control, if satisfied that a patient detained in an institution or certified house is of dangerous or violent propensities, may by order transfer him to a State institution.

Mr. Dodds

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—whether he can guarantee that when I go to Rampton I shall get out again?