§ 14. Sir G. Nabarroasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware that the refusal of the management of Lea Castle Hospital for Backward Children to accept further new entrants has caused distress to parents and others resident in South Worcestershire and elsewhere; for what reasons, financial and otherwise, such restrictions have been enforced; what steps he is taking to alleviate consequential suffering; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CrossmanI would refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply to the hon. Member for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen) on 9th 897 February and to my reply to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Mrs. Knight) during the debate on mental hospitals on 11th February. My hon. Friend has also written to the hon. Member. Full admission procedures are currently in operation at Lea Castle Hospital.—[Vol. 795, c. 254, 1360–1.]
§ Sir G. NabarroNeither of those Answers relate to the Question on the Order Paper. May I ask the Minister why the medical director of this hospital for backward children caused widespread alarm and gloom among parents throughout the Midlands by stating in the third week of January that there would be no further admissions; why the Birmingham Hospital Board ten days later rescinded his statement; why the Minister first supported that rescindment and then revoked it; and why we have this order, counter-order and disorder? Will not the Minister take responsibility for these matters?
§ Mr. CrossmanI find the hon. Member's narrative a curious distortion, if not an invention, because it bears no relation to what happened. What happened was that the medical director—here the hon. Member is quite right—made a somewhat sensational statement which caused anxiety. But none of the things which he said would happen in fact took place. There was no closing down of the day service and there was no stoppage of any kind. As a result, the anxieties were largely removed by the facts. Secondly, we have had a multi-disciplinary committee going into the hospital. I would add that this is the finest hospital for the mentally handicapped in the Midlands and that it is a pity that the hon. Member should try to denigrate a hospital with such a great reputation.
§ Sir G. NabarroIn view of the most unsatisfactory reply to Question No. 14, I give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment. I hope that the right hon. Gentleman will be here to answer that debate.