§ Mr. BLACKasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department how many ex-service men are detained at present in pauper sections of mental hospitals; and how many are detained in private or charity sections of mental hospitals?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYOn the 1st January, 1924, there were 4,623 ex-service men certified as service patients in county and borough mental hospitals in England and Wales; they are on the legal footing of private patients. In addition, there were 152 ex-service men undergoing special treatment at the Old Manor, Salisbury—a private institution: they are certified as private patients. In addition to these numbers, 770 who were previously treated as ex-service patients, have ceased to be so regarded as it appeared that their illness was in no way due to or aggravated by the War. In regard to these the Government has decided to pay for their maintenance from the 1st April next by means of a grant, which will be distributed by the Board of Control in England and Wales. They will also be on the legal footing of private patients.