HL Deb 14 July 1967 vol 284 cc1344-6
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 whether they will confirm that they have now received replies from the hospitals addressed in Hospital Memorandum 67(16) of March 7, and will state how many hospitals have indicated that they will have in-patient and out-patient treatment centres in operation by the end of this year; and what numbers of addicts it is expected to be able to treat in them.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS (LORD BESWICK)

My Lords, all hospital boards who were asked to do so have replied to this memorandum. By about the end of this year in-patient treatment in the London area for heroin addiction is expected to be available at 10 hospitals and out-patient treatment at 14 hospitals. Detailed arrangements, including the precise number of addicts who will be able to be treated, are being discussed with the hospital authorities concerned. Outside London treatment will be available, if required, at most mental hospitals.

LORD SANDFORD

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that reply, which goes some way toward meeting the widespread misgivings over the provisions which are being made to come into operation when the Dangerous Drugs Bill has been enacted. If I may say so, I do not think it goes all the way. I would ask the noble Lord how many boards in their replies have answered the detailed requests; that is to say, how many have outlined the plans they are making to expand their existing services when the Bill becomes law? Further, could I have the noble Lord's assurance that there will be a full and complete answer to my Written Question on this subject (which has been set down for a week) before we are asked to pass this Bill through its final stages?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, I have not seen the noble Lord's Written Question, so I cannot give him any assurance about that. Of course, I will look at it and give him all the information I can. As to the first part of the supplementary question, discussions are now taking place with the hospital boards and there are many details to be settled. But I think the answer I have given shows that the hospital boards have been forthcoming in their replies to the inquiries.

LORD AMULREE

My Lords, can the noble Lord tell us yet whether the clinics will be available for patients on more than one or two days a week and for what length of time during the day?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, this is precisely the kind of detail which has to be discussed. There are many unknowns in this matter and at the moment it is quite impossible to give details of that kind.

LORD SEGAL

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that by far the greater number of notifications are likely to come from the London area? Will he specially emphasise the need of treatment centres within the Metropolitan area rather than in the provinces?

LORD BESWICK

Yes, my Lords. I think the Answer I have given indicates that we are aware of this fact.

LORD SANDFORD

My Lords, is it not rather strange that when one puts down a Question for Written Answer, and it has been down for a week, the Minister responsible does not even know it is there?

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD SHACKLETON)

A silly question!

LORD BESWICK

Strangely enough—and when the noble Lord has a little more experience he will realise this—the noble Lord will find that the Answers are compiled in the Department before being brought up to the Minister concerned.

LORD ERROLL OF HALE

My Lords, in my experience in the past—and the Minister might like to learn about it—it was customary for the Government Department to notify the Minister of related questions still standing on the Order Paper. Is that practice no longer adhered to?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, apart from the fact that the noble Lord's experience is a little out of date, I doubt whether he has had experience of being responsible in this House for more than one Department.