§ Mr. Jack Ashley (Stoke-on-Trent, South)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 report of the Association for Patients and Staff that alleges injustice and brutality in some hospitals for mentally handicapped people.The matter is specific because it deals with the treatment of mentally handicapped patients in long-stay hospitals, and the lack of effective procedures to protect those vulnerable people who cannot complain themselves. The matter is important because the report makes serious allegations of cruelty, brutality and even barbarity in some of our hospitals. That includes physical and sexual assaults, beatings, isolation, pulling a woman by her pubic hair, tying children to chairs, keeping patients on the toilet all day and the excessive use of drugs for the severely handicapped.The matter is urgent because, if those grave allegations are substantiated, we are dealing with a major public scandal that involves cruelty to helpless people. It would be a grave reflection on the House if we failed to take immediate steps to deal with such cruelty and to establish effective procedures.
The report has been criticised by one trade union leader. He is entitled to his opinion, but so is the House. This is a controversial, important and urgent issue. I hope that you will rule, Mr. Speaker, that we should debate it as soon as possible.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe right hon. Gentleman gave me notice before 12 o'clock midday that he would seek leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely,
the report of the Association for Patients and Staff that alleges injustice and brutality in some hospitals for mentally handicapped people.The right hon. Gentleman has brought to our attention a very serious matter. The House will have listened with anxious concern to what he said. He is aware that this is not the only way in which the matter could be discussed and that I have limited power in this regard.The House has instructed me to give no reasons for my decision. I must rule that the right hon. Gentleman's submission does not fall within the provisions of the Standing Order. Therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.