HC Deb 15 December 1969 vol 793 c903
14. Mr. Kenneth Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the Government will publish a White Paper on the living conditions of mentally sub-normal patients.

Mr. Ennals

My right hon. Friend hopes to publish a statement of policy on all aspects of services for the mentally handicapped within two or three months.

Mr. Baker

As the Minister is thinking of appointing an Ombudsman for the Health Service, may I press him to allow the Ombudsman to look into complaints about mental hospitals, whether those complaints arise from the patients, their relatives or the public, as half the hospital beds are occupied by the mentally ill?

Mr. Ennals

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that in a study which my right hon. Friend is carrying out into means of dealing with complaints, complaints about mentally ill and mentally subnormal, as well as other types of patient, will be dealt with.