§ 7. Mr. Pavittasked the Minister of Health why it is taking eight years for the Joint Committee of his Standing Medical Advisory Committee and his Advisory Committee on the Health and Welfare of Handicapped Persons to report on the implementation of the recommendation of the Cohen Report on medical and welfare service for epileptics.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonThe recommendations of the Committee on the Medical Care of Epileptics were commended to hospital authorities when its Report was published in 1956. This followed appropriate advice to local authorities in 1953. The Joint Sub-Committee of the Standing Medical Advisory Committee was set up in 1967 to review the nature and scope of the services currently provided and to advise on their future development. Its report cannot be expected yet.
§ Mr. PavittCan my right hon. Friend say why it took from 1956 until he took office to report what happened as a result of this Report, and, as this question of epilepsy deals with mental health, will he take the opportunity to welcome Mental Health Week and the excellent work being done by the National Association?
§ Mr. RobinsonI warmly welcome Mental Health Week with which I have been associated in past incarnations. I do not think that my hon. Friend would expect me to comment on the sins of omission of previous Governments.