§ Mr. MayhewOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Arising out of the reply this afternoon by the Secretary of State for Social Services to my Written Question No. 252, I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 9 for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely
the urgent need, in the light of the report on Farley Hospital published today, to give further support to patients and staff of hospitals for the mentally handicapped".The importance and urgency of this subject is shown on every page of this report. Its findings are most disturbing and call for urgent action by the authorities concerned and, in particular, for the appointment without delay of a health commissioner; the provision of alternative care and accommodation for many patients in these hospitals; the strengthening of staffs; the developing and applying of guidelines for handling difficult or violent patients, preferably on the lines of the report recently presented to the Minister by the National Association for Mental Health.This matter is particularly urgent because the events at Farley Hospital could be repeated at any time in many other hospitals for the mentally handicapped which are suffering the same conditions of shortage. The case seems to me to be further strengthened by the regrettable failure of the Secretary of State to make his statement to the House orally so that it could be questioned.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and urgent matter that he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely 463
the urgent need, in the light of the report on Farley Hospital published today, to give further support to patients and staff of hospitals for the mentally handicapped".The hon. Member was courteous enough to give me notice of his intention to raise this matter. The House is already familiar with the terms of the Standing Order, to which I frequently refer the House. I have considered this matter and I am afraid that, regretfully, I cannot submit the application to the House.
§ Dr. SummerskillFurther to that point of order. Is it in order, Mr. Speaker, when the hon. Member for Woolwich, East (Mr. Mayhew) specifically makes a request to the Minister to give an Oral Answer on this vitally important committee of inquiry and its report for the Minister to refuse such a request?
§ Mr. SpeakerIn regard to the rules of order, certainly such a refusal is in order. This is not a matter for the Chair. It is a matter for the Minister. I have no jurisdiction in such a matter.