§ Mr. RENDALLasked the Under-Secretary for War whether, having regard to the change of policy which he recently announced had become necessary in dealing with mentally injured soldiers, he will undertake that in the event of certification 1490W being necessary after discharge of an unrecovered soldier from the Army such soldier shall not be certified by a doctor (Royal Army Medical Corps) who holds office in an asylum and will not be placed under the Lunacy Board of Control without the civilian's right of appeal to a magistrate.
§ Mr. TENNANTWith regard to the first part of the question, I would remind my hon. Friend of the three classes of patients whom it is proposed to certify. They cannot properly be described as "mentally-injured soldiers" if by that term it should be understood that the mental injury was originated by the hardships of active service. The whole procedure of certification is prescribed by Act of Parliament. I cannot give any assurance with regard to the last part of the question without special legislation, for which I can see no reason. I am not aware of a single instance where, after the ordinary military procedure has been carried out, any soldier has expressed a grievance owing to the fact that the opportunity to appeal has been to a general officer commanding-in-chief and not to a civil magistrate. With regard to that part of the question dealing with the individuality of the certifying medical officers, I regard it an advantage in these cases to have the opinion of a medical officer with special training in and knowledge of these very difficult cases.
§ Mr. RENDALLasked the Under-Secretary for War whether he has yet received the Report of the Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians appointed by him to inquire into the methods adopted by the War Office to deal with mentally injured soldiers; whether he will publish the Report; and, if not, is he willing to afford inspection of it to Members of the House who are interested in the question?
§ Mr. TENNANTYes, Sir; I will have copies placed in the Library.
Mr. RENDALL alsoasked the Under-Secretary for War whether, having regard to the importance of the question of how best to deal with mentally injured soldiers and the undertakings he has at different times given regarding their treatment, and the change of policy recently decided upon, he will, if no other speedy opportunity offers, be agreeable to make a general statement on the matter on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House?
1491W
§ Mr. TENNANTIf my hon. Friend desires it, I will make a statement on the Adjournment one day next week, but on the whole I think he would be well advised to discuss this matter in private with me, when I think I shall be able to convince him that the War Office policy is deserving of his support.