§ 17. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Minister of Health which of the recommendations of the Brain Report he intends to implement during this Session.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonI would refer my hon. Friend to the OFFICIAL REPORT for 30th January, when the Government's plans were announced in the course of the debate on drugs. [Vol. 740, c. 167]
§ Mrs. ShortIs my right hon. Friend properly seized of the basic fact that he cannot make any inroad into this terrible problem unless we are prepared to spend more money on it, that if doctors are not to be allowed to prescribe, and rightly so, then there must be 24-hour psychiatric cover at the centres and that to complete after-care, proper after-treatment hostels may have to be set up?
§ Mr. RobinsonAs my hon. Friend probably knows, I propose shortly to issue general guidance to hospital authorities about these treatment centres, but her Question refers to the recommendations of the Brain Report and, apart from the one relating to a limited power to detain addicts, it is the Government's intention to act on all the recommendations in that Report.
§ Mr. DeedesWhen shall we see the Bill?
§ Mr. RobinsonThat is a matter for the Home Secretary and the Leader of the House.
§ Mr. BraineThat is very unsatisfactory. Cannot the right hon. Gentleman at least give the House the date when these treatment centres will be set up?
§ Mr. RobinsonThat was not the question asked by his right hon. Friend the Member for Ashford (Mr. Deedes).
§ Mr. BraineBut it is the question I am asking, and the House is entitled to an answer in the light of the Question asked by the hon. Lady the Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Renee Short).