HL Deb 12 July 1967 vol 284 cc1130-3

2.56 p.m.

LORD SANDFORD

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what arrangements they have in mind for ensuring that rehabilitation centres for drug addicts are provided to match the treatment centres called for in Hospital Memorandum (67) 16 of March 7; and in particular to state what scale of grant they will offer to voluntary bodies willing to undertake such provision:—

  1. (a) in respect of capital expenditure;
  2. (b) in respect of running costs.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS (LORD BESWICK)

My Lords, there is no ready-made proven system of rehabilitation, and it is a question of deciding what are the most promising ways of improving existing facilities.

My right honourable friend the Minister of Health arranged two conferences—of psychiatrists, medical officers of health and voluntary bodies—and the results have been placed at the disposal of the Advisory Committee on Drug Dependence, which has set up a subcommittee on rehabilitation. Guidance on this subject, including the co-ordination of statutory and voluntary services, will be issued when recommendations have been received from the Advisory Committee.

LORD SANDFORD

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that reply. Is it not high time we had more to show in this field? Is the noble Lord not aware that it is a year since the Brain Committee reported on this matter and recommended the establishment of these centres? Is it not a fact that rehabilitation and treatment centres are now running at Birmingham and Spelthorne St. Marys? Is the noble Lord aware that voluntary bodies are keen to make this provision but are unable to do so rapidly enough without support from the Government or from local authorities?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, the rehabilitation and after-care facilities at psychiatric hospitals and departments and local health authorities are available now to drug addicts, as to other persons who have received treatment in psychiatric hospitals. If there are to be any centres exclusively for drug addicts it is important to ascertain first what kind of facilities would be of best use for these unfortunate people.

LORD SEGAL

My Lords, would not the noble Lord agree that at this stage it is extremely difficult to assess the demand for accommodation at these rehabilitation centres and also their ideal location? Would it not be better if the Minister were to defer his policy until he had gained experience of the working of the Dangerous Drugs Bill once it becomes enacted?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, my noble friend, who has considerable experience of these matters, has indicated some of the variables in this problem but of course even more important than the amount of accommodation is to decide for what people are to be accommodated. An Advisory Committee has been established, and I think that it would be useful to have their recommendations before money is spent.

THE LORD BISHOP OF LEICESTER

My Lords, is the Minister aware of the gratitude felt in many circles to Her Majesty's Government for the serious and thoughtful way in which they are approaching this problem, in spite of a rather equivocal Press, and how much the Churches, in particular, are looking forward to every opportunity to co-operate once the way forward appears clear?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, I am deeply grateful for what the right reverend Prelate says.

LORD NEWTON

My Lords, can the noble Lord give us an absolute assurance that the Government will not bring into effect the provisions of the Dangerous Drugs Bill, which is still before this House, until they are absolutely satisfied that enough rehabilitation centres are effectively working or have been set up?

LORD BESWICK

I cannot give that assurance; nor do I think it should be given. As I have said, there are already facilities for rehabilitation provided by hospitals and by the local authorities, as well as the excellent voluntary organisations with which the noble Lord, Lord Sandford, is well acquainted. Moreover, it is now possible for local health authorities to give grants to voluntary organisations. The only question to be decided is which of the various facilities ought to be encouraged further by a grant; that is the question which the noble Lord, Lord Sandford, is now asking.

LORD NEWTON

My Lords, I wonder whether the noble Lord would be good enough to look at this point again. I seem to recall that his right honourable friend in another place virtually gave the assurance for which I asked this afternoon.

LORD BESWICK

Certainly, my Lords; if the noble Lord has received that assurance from my right honourable friend I have no doubt that can be accepted. But I will look at this matter again and perhaps write to the noble Lord.

THE EARL OF DUNDEE

My Lords, will the Government be brisk about it, seeing that to-day is the 1,000th "dynamic" day of office?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, briskness is an excellent thing, but not necessarily so when deciding medical treatment for a phenomenon which is of fairly recent growth and about which we have still a good deal to learn.

LORD SEGAL

My Lords, would my noble friend also bear in mind that a need is likely to arise for the development of other rehabilitation centres, in addition to the excellent ones already existing and run by the voluntary bodies? There may be a certain type of addict who will not respond readily to the existing provisions of the voluntary bodies.

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, I am sure that the Department will take note of what my noble friend has said.