§ 39. Dame Joan Vickersasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what aid is being given to Tonga, especially in regard to helping to provide accommodation for the mentally sick.
§ Mr. WoodThe amount likely to be spent in the present financial year is £360,000. The Tongan authorities have not asked that any of this should be devoted to projects providing accommodation for the mentally sick.
§ Dame Joan VickersI thank my right hon. Friend for the help he has given in the past, particularly in terms of the provision of hostels. Does he think it satisfactory that mental patients should remain in prison?
§ Mr. WoodI know that my hon. Friend has taken a considerable interest in this problem over the years. If the Tongan authorities make suggestions to us to improve the present arrangements—which I agree do not sound particularly satisfactory—we shall consider helping them in that direction.