§ 27. Lord Balnielasked the Minister of Health what research is carried out at Broadmoor and Rampton designed to yield new methods and techniques in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental retardation and disorder.
§ Mr. BarberVarious studies for this purpose have been carried out or are in progress relating to the history, intelligence, psychological patterns, clinical condition and behaviour of patients at these hospitals.
§ Lord BalnielCan my right hon. Friend say on what scale this research is undertaken? In view of the widespread concern about the level of crimes of violence in this country and of the fact that the Mental Health Act foreshadows the treatment of psychopathic disorders in normal mental hospitals, surely it is right that there should be very widespread research at Broadmoor and Rampton into the treatment of psychopathic disorders, because these are the only two hospitals where psychopathic criminals are assembled?
§ Mr. BarberFacilities for research both at Broadmoor and at Rampton are being improved. I have here a list of recent and current research which has been or is being carried out at Broad-moor and also at Rampton covering such matters as comparative study of two unselected samples of normal and 905 abnormal murderers, a study of the psychopathic effect of brain damage, and so on. The list is rather long, so again, perhaps, it might be for the convenience of the House if I write to my noble Friend to give him the full details.