HC Deb 28 June 1967 vol 749 cc497-8
23. Mr. Hannan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many patients suffering from alcoholism or alcoholic neurosis were admitted to mental hospitals in 1956, 1961 and 1966; and what proportion of the total bed accommodation such patients occupied in those hospitals.

Mr. Millan

The numbers admitted were 732, 1,350 and 2,755, respectively, which constituted 7.1 per cent., 9.9 per cent. and 13.6 per cent. of the total admissions to such hospitals. For 1966 these figures include admissions to psychiatric wards in general hospitals. I regret that figures are not available for the proportion of total bed accommodation in these hospitals occupied by alcoholic patients. On average, however, their length of stay is shorter than that of other patients in these hospitals.

Mr. Hannan

Is my hon. Friend aware that the rate of readmissions of such patients is very much higher than with usual mental patients, if one can use that term? In view of these very disturbing figures, will my hon. Friend consider asking the Interdepartmental Committee on Drug Addiction to include alcoholism among its considerations? As the purveyors of this article, the pedlars and pushers, are known and licensed, cannot my hon. Friend ensure that before public money is used to provide treatment for such patients the pedlars and pushers will make a contribution?

Mr. Speaker

Questions should be reasonably brief. There are many Scottish Questions today.

Mr. Millan

I do not think that my hon. Friend's suggestion is practicable. We have asked regional boards to pay particular attention to this matter and to set up special units to deal with the problem. Some of these special units are already being established.