HC Deb 18 July 1918 vol 108 cc1254-5W
Colonel YATE

asked the Pensions Minister how many institutions are at present in working order under his Department which provide for the recovery of discharged soldiers and sailors who have been invalided owing to uncertifiable nerve strain; where each institution is situated; how many patients each contains; how many men have been discharged recovered up to date and how many sent on to asylums; what facilities in regard to industrial or interesting occupation each institution affords for the inmates; and whether these institutions are free from any connection with lunacy administration or lunacy staffs?

Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN

For functional nerve disorders six homes of recovery have been established as follows:

One in London for 120 patients
One in Leicester for 60 patients
One near Manchester for 100 patients
One in Edinburgh for 30–60 patients
One in Dublin for 33 patients
One in Belfast for 62 patients

All these have workshops or provide other forms of occupation, such as gardening. There is no connection with lunacy administration or lunacy staff. The records of my Department do not, unfortunately, enable me to state how many men have passed through their hands since they were opened. I should perhaps add that no special provision has been made for men suffering from uncertifiable mental deficiency, who are not suitable for admission to one of the homes of recovery. The number of cases of this nature which have been brought to my notice is not large, and, where necessary, arrangements have been made with one or other of the existing mental homes, which accept uncertifiable cases.