HC Deb 13 March 1961 vol 636 cc965-6
19. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Minister of Health, if, in view of his correspondence with the hon. Member for Salford, East regarding a Salford woman who had been detained for twelve years in Calderstones Hospital, he will set up an inquiry into other cases there to end possible wrongful detentions.

Mr. Powell

The cases of all patients detained since before 1st November last will have been reviewed by the end of next month.

Mr. Allaun

Is it not extremely odd that this young woman, who had never been certified and whose family had constantly sought to free her, should have been released within a few days of the application of a Member of Parliament? Will the Minister receive a dossier from my hon. Friends the Members for Manchester, Exchange (Mr. W. Griffiths) and Ardwick (Mr. L. M. Lever) and myself of a number of such releases obtained recently of people who had been in Calderstones for between twelve and thirty-three years? While I do not in any way wish to blame the medical superintendent, who had been there only a few weeks, does not all this suggest that there are many other people wrongly detained at Calderstones? Therefore, would the Minister consider a special inquiry particularly into the 738 cases who have been there for more than ten years?

Mr. Powell

I have already told the hon. Member that their cases will be, if they have not already been, reviewed before the end of next month. There is nothing odd about this in view of the fact that this inquiry is required under the Mental Health Act. I will gladly look at any evidence which the hon. Member, or any other hon. Member, likes to put before me. There is, however, no evidence whatever that the detention of this patient, who was detained under compulsory powers, was wrongful.

20. Mr. L. M. Lever

asked the Minister of Health what investigations he has made into the case of Wilfred Boughton, who has been an inmate of Calderstones Hospital, Whalley, Lancashire, for the past 33 years, about which particulars have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Manchester, Ardwick; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Powell

This patient is at present on six months' leave and, unless it proves necessary to recall him, the authority for his detention will lapse at the end of that time. I am writing to the hon. Member about the detailed points which he raised.

Mr. Lever

Will the right hon. Gentleman order an immediate inquiry as to what special medical treatment this man received during his detention, what work he did, what periods and dates he was unable to work and what wages he received for his work? We cannot understand why this man, who is rational and reasonable, should have been detained for 33 years and the information given only a few days ago following the special inquiry which I as Member of Parliament for the constituency made. Will the Minister give us a satisfactory reply?

Mr. Powell

I am not aware that this information was called for before. Certainly had it been called for, there is no reason why previously, any more than now, it should not be forthcoming. This person was detained under the Mental Deficiency Acts. I cannot find that there has been any impropriety at any stage, and, as I have said, the detailed information for which the hon. Member has asked is being made available to him.