HC Deb 18 March 1957 vol 567 cc20-1
37. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Health what progress he has made in his investigations in respect of the payment by mental patients engaged in remunerative employment outside the institution who are required to make payments from their earnings towards their maintenance as in-patients; and if a decision has yet been reached as to whether or not the patients are, in future, to be given receipts for the money they are required to pay.

Mr. Vosper

My inquiries have shown that in nearly all cases receipts are given to these patients in mental hospitals, but less frequently in mental deficiency hospitals, where the wages are often paid direct to the hospital authority on behalf of the patients and receipts are given to the employers. I propose to ask hospital authorities to give receipts in future in all cases where money is paid over by the patient himself and the authority is satisfied that he is capable of understanding the nature of the document.

Mr. Dodds

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it will give a good deal of satisfatcion to know that he has taken action to ensure that cases who continue to work outside and receive wages will get receipts for money which they pay into the hospital, as until now there have been grave doubts about these financial transactions?

49. Mr. K. Robinson

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of public anxiety concerning the exploitation of patients in mental and mental deficiency hospitals; and if he will set up a committee to inquire into the system of employment of such patients and of their rewards.

Mr. Vosper

I am aware that this allegation has been made from time to time, but I doubt if a formal inquiry would serve much purpose. I shall always be anxious to hear of any particular cases if they come to the notice of hon. Members.

Mr. Robinson

Is the Minister aware that, whilst I do not altogether share this anxiety—indeed, I used the words "alleged exploitation" in the original Question—nevertheless there are wide variations of practice in this matter and some anomalies? Will not the right hon. Gentleman reconsider this suggestion in order to allay the anxiety in the public mind?

Mr. Vosper

I am aware that there is concern about this matter, and I am, in fact, looking into it. At this stage, however, pending the Report of the Royal Commission on Mental Health, I think that an inquiry of this nature probably would not help us.