HC Deb 03 March 1958 vol 583 cc821-2
30. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Health why he requires the staff at Rampton Mental Hospital to sign a declaration under the Official Secrets Act that they will not divulge any information they may learn in the course of their duties.

37. Dr. D. Johnson

asked the Minister of Health if he will abolish the operation of the Official Secrets Act from Rampton State Institution.

Mr. Walker-Smith

I would refer to my Answer of 17th February to the hon. Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Dodds).

Mr. Dodds

Is the Minister aware that that does not answer the question? What the Minister answered then was that there were two hospitals out of the whole National Health Service. I want to ask him now why it is necessary, under the National Health Service, for the staff to sign the Official Secrets Act declaration. Is this not a reason why it is so difficult to get official information out of Rampton?

Mr. Walker-Smith

No, Sir. The Official Secrets Act is an Act of general operation. All civil servants on appointment sign this declaration simply to ensure that they are aware of its provisions. All staff of hospitals, including the war pensioner hospitals, who are, in fact, civil servants, sign the declaration.

32. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Health how long Peter Whitehead was detained in Rampton Institution; why he was sent there; what were the reasons for his long detention; why he was released; and, in view of the unsatisfactory features of the case, what investigations have been held or are contemplated.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Richard Thompson)

This patient was sent to Rampton Hospital because the Board of Control were satisfied that he was of dangerous or violent propensities. He was there for two periods amounting to 9½ years because he needed the special care and supervision provided at a State institution. He was released because the Board considered that he could be safely discharged. No investigation has been held and none is contemplated.

Mr. Dodds

Will the Minister deny that, after being in Rampton twelve years, this man was discharged on the morning of the day his case had to be heard in the High Court in the afternoon? Is that not a strange coincidence? Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that, in another place last week, the Lord Bishop of Southwell, who visits Rampton frequently for religious duties, made it clear that the authorities had made a mistake—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I do not think the hon. Gentleman is in order in referring to what was said in another place.

Mr. Dodds

I understood that one could not quote from a debate in the other place, but that one could paraphrase—as I have heard many times in the House.

Mr. Speaker

No; the hon. Member may not do that at Question Time.

Mr. Thompson

I was asked, I think, if that might be thought a coincidence. It may well have been, but I have nothing to add.

Mr. Dodds

In view of the unsatisfactory answer, I give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.