§ 23. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Health what were the periods, giving 18 dates, during which Miss Edith Haithwaite received 11s, and 6s, a week, respectively, at Rampton Mental Hospital.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithShe received 1ls, a week from September, 1956, until April, 1957, and 6s, a week from November, 1953, until February, 1955, and from May, 1956, until August, 1956.
§ Mr. DoddsWhat has the Minister to say about his Answer last week in which he said that I used extravagant language in stating that for several years she had
worked all day long on a sock-making machine and at night, after the patients had gone to bed, was cleaning and sweeping up the place for 6s, a week? "—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 27th April, 1959; Vol. 604, c. 890.1Is that not correct? How can it be extravagant language?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI used the term "extravagant language" rather in regard to the hon. Member's choice of epithet and somewhat unrestrained mode of expression on this and similar questions in the House.
§ Mr. DoddsWill the Minister explain why, having said that, he went on to say that she had been paid 11s, and not 6s? Why does he continue to wriggle in this disgraceful case?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe hon. Member is wrong as usual. If he will look at the OFFICIAL REPORT he will see that I said that she was receiving 11s, at the date of her discharge, which ties in exactly with the Answer which I have given today.
§ 24 and 25. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Health (1) on what date or dates Miss Edith Haithwaite was seen by an officer of the local health authority following advice by his Department after her 17½ years illegal detention in Ramp-ton Mental Hospital; in what way practical assistance was given to her in this connection; and, as she has been without employment for the past three months and is living in particularly poor circumstances, what action he proposes to take to see she is given assistance other than that given by the National Assistance Board;
(2) in view of the harmful effect of the illegal incarceration of Miss Edith Haithwaite from the age of 17 to 35 19 years to her prospects of marriage and a family, if he will take action to give all possible assistance to Miss Haithwaite in her desire to secure employment amongst children in a hospital, nursery or home, preferably the latter.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe local health authority was informed of Miss Haithwaite's discharge from hospital, and it arranged for an officer to visit her in November 1957. He found that she was in employment and told her and her sister to get into touch with him if they found themselves in any difficulties. They have not done so, but I am asking the local health authority to arrange for a further visit to be paid.
§ Mr. DoddsDoes the Minister appreciate that this woman, having been sent out by his Department with only £1 after 18 years, had to do something to get a living, and that it would have been very much better if the officer had been a little quicker on the job, because he might have been able to help? I appreciate that the Minister now intends to try to do something for this very unfortunate woman.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithIf the hon. Member will look at the report of the hearing of these proceedings, as I have asked him to do, he will see that the Board of Control and the Divisional Court were very much concerned that Miss Haithwaite should have proper care and accommodation on her discharge in April, 1957.
§ Dr. SummerskillWould the Minister agree that the answer to this pathetic case is for the Minister to use his good offices and to find a sympathetic matron of one of our children's homes who, I am sure, would protect this woman and at the same time use her services in the best possible way?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThat might be a solution, and I will certainly have it in mind.