§ 49. Mr. Hiltonasked the Minister of Health whether he will initiate an investigation into the social problems arising in those areas, such as the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, where there is a concentration of methylated spirit drinkers, with a view to bringing national resources to bear in helping to rehabilitate these people.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonThe rehabilitation of crude spirit drinkers depends on their co-operation, which is difficult to obtain; but, in conjunction with my right hon. Friends, I am reviewing the problem.
§ Mr. HiltonWould not my right hon. Friend agree that concentrations of methylated spirit drinkers in the East End of London lead to grave social consequences not only for the residents but also for the drinkers? All that I am asking is for an investigation into the problem to see what the Government can do to help. Is not this a reasonable proposition to put to my right hon. Friend?
§ Mr. RobinsonI had hoped that my Answer to my hon. Friend showed that we were investigating the problem. A survey by the London County Council estimated that there were between 150 and 200 of these crude spirit drinkers in London, but we have not got any more up-to-date figures. The problem areas are 31 mainly Stepney, Southwark and the City of London.
§ Mr. DoughtyIs it not a fact that many Government and other authorities have inquired into this difficult problem over a long period and that the short answer is that there is virtually no means of rehabilitating people who have sunk to this depth?
§ Mr. RobinsonI would not like to be quite so defeatist as that. There are several Departments concerned in this, and the National Assistance Board has conducted a survey of the users of reception centres, common lodging houses and other places where single homeless people, including people of this kind, tend to congregate, and I await the results of the survey which is to be published shortly.