§ 31 Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Health (1) what decisions have been taken in the case of Miss Mary Betteridge, a certified mental defective, for absconding whilst on licence from the St. Margaret's Mental Hospital, Birmingham; how long she is required to remain in the punishment block; what work, and for how many hours each day, is required of her; and what form of treatment she is receiving to fit her for resuming her life in the community;
§ (2) what visitors are allowed by the medical superintendent of St. Margaret's Mental Hospital to see Miss Mary Betteridge; why it is considered undesirable at the present time for the hon. Member for Erith and Crayford to visit her at the hospital; and for how long it is intended that the ban should continue; and
§ (3) in view of the medical testimony that Miss Mary Betteridge was never in the past, and is not now, a mental defective, and in view of the anxiety that this case is causing after nearly seven years' certification, if he will arrange for an independent medical examination, or approve another independent medical examination to be arranged for by friends.
§ Mr. VosperAs I have informed the hon. Member recently in correspondence, efforts for her rehabilitation are continuing. There is no such thing as a punishment block. She is engaged on domestic work for six and a half hours a day, and is receiving such care and treatment as is appropriate, including psychotherapy. As regards visiting, 1 would refer the hon. Member to my reply of 18th March, to which I have nothing to add. If her friends desire another independent medical examination, facilities would be given on application to the medical superintendent. The cost of such examination could not be borne on public funds.
§ Mr. DoddsHow can the Minister state that this young girl is not in a punishment-block when her foster parents have been told that she is in a punishment block for six months? Will the Minister devote his attention to that part of the Question about the hon. Member for 794 Erith and Crayford, despite the fact that he has been asked by the young lady and her foster parents, being banned from visiting the young lady in the hospital?
Surely there is some way of being able to visit a person in those circumstances? Can the Minister say what he has to hide? Is it because one of the greatest medical brains in the country who visited the hospital said that she never was a mental defective, is not now a mental defective, and that the hospital cannot give her the treatment for which she asks? How long is this antiquated system to go on? Is it not a failure that she has been there for seven years——
§ Mr. Speaker rose——
§ Mr. DoddsOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker I should like to draw your attention to the fact that I have three Questions on the Order Paper.
§ Mr. SpeakerThat fact had not escaped my attention, but I thought the hon. Member was really making a speech about this matter.
§ Mr. VosperThe answer to the first part of the supplementary question is that there is no punishment block in the hospital at all. The answer to the second part is that that is a matter for the medical superintendent and I have no power to vary his decision. The answer to the last part of the supplementary question is that this girl has been examined repeatedly by superintendents and independent doctors who all confirmed the original decision that she is a mental defective.
§ Mr. PagetIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a punishment block by any other name can smell just as bad? Is he further aware that this and similar cases involve important questions of personal liberty? Would he please not treat this matter in quite the casual way he has treated it?
§ Mr. VosperThe hon. and learned Member may not have been here for the earlier Questions on this case. This girl has been twice allowed out on licence, and the last time she absconded and had to be taken back.
§ Mr. DoddsOn a point of order. If I may not ask any more questions, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment as early as possible.