HC Deb 18 March 1957 vol 567 cc21-2
57. Dr. D. Johnson

asked the Minister of Health the total number of inmates of Rampton State Institution; and how many of these have had criminal convictions.

Mr. Vosper

One thousand and ninety-two. Full information is not available as to how many have had criminal convictions, but 539 were dealt with as mental defectives either by the courts or by the Secretary of State whilst being detained in prison, approved schools, or elsewhere.

Dr. Johnson

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the anxiety of many people that inmates who have criminal convictions are mixed with many others who have no criminal convictions of any kind? Will he give this matter his special attention when considering the forthcoming report?

Mr. Vosper

I will do that, of course, but all the inmates of Rampton have this in common, that they are of violent propensities, and it would be very difficult to separate the two categories which my hon. Friend has in mind.

58. Dr. D. Johnson

asked the Minister of Health when he expects to receive the report of the Board of Control in respect of Rampton State Institution.

Mr. Vosper

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the right hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Bellenger) on 4th February.

Dr. Johnson

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether the Board of Control can give special attention in the report to the psychological effect that is brought about by long and indefinite detention to which the inmates of this institution are subjected?

Mr. Vosper

The report to which I referred was, of course, a report dealing only with the security arrangements at Rampton. Since that date, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary has visited Rampton and expressed himself more than satisfied both with conditions there—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—Yes—and with the high quality of the staff. I think that further consideration must await the Report of the Royal Commission.

Mr. Dodds

Will the Minister state why mental defectives who have done no one any harm are kept in these institutions with criminal lunatics? Does he think that he is giving them the best opportunity to get back into life again?

Mr. Vosper

I think that the hon. Member is mistaken. All the inmates of Rampton Institution are mental defectives.