HC Deb 23 November 1959 vol 614 cc23-4
41. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Health what was the number of lunatic asylums in England and Wales on 1st January, 1949, and 1st January, 1959, respectively.

Mr. Walker-Smith

I assume that the hon. Member refers to hospitals designated under the Lunacy and Mental Treatment Acts. I will, with permission, circulate the available figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Dodds

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that I am pleased he did not accept that there were lunatic asylums? Has he told the "blithering idiots" in another place, Lord Montgomery and his right hon. Friend the Minister for Science—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I hope I shall have the assistance of hon. Members in seeing that Questions are conducted in an orderly fashion.

Mr. Dodds

On a point of order. I should like your guidance, Mr. Speaker. As you are aware, it was said by two noble Lords that those voting Labour should be sent to non-existing places—lunatic asylums. Is there any way in which the Minister or someone else can bring that fact to their attention?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member can ask suitable Questions, but in referring to members of another place he must use due decorum of expression:

Following are the figures:

HOSPITALS DESIGNATED UNDER THE LUNACY AND MENTAL TREATMENT ACTS, 1890–1930
— Number of Hospitals at 1st January, 1959 Number of Hospitals at 1st January, 1949
Designated Mental Hospitals 158 242
Hospitals receiving under Sections 20 and 21 only* 28 *
Registered Hospitals 4 4
Teaching Hospitals 1 1
State Institutions 1 1
Nursing Homes 10 10
Licensed Houses 20 37
Total 222 295*
NOTE:
* The number of hospitals designated solely for the reception of patients under Sections 20 and 21 of the Lunacy Act, 1890 (for "observation") is not available for 1st January. 1949, but at 1st January, 1950 there were 25.