HC Deb 23 January 1929 vol 224 cc167-70W
Mr. SMEDLEY CROOKE

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will consider the advisability of giving institutional treatment in a home provided through the Ministry by the State to those ex-service

United Kingdom from France and Germany, respectively, for the years 1914, 1924, and 1927; and what were the values of the exports of woollen and worsted manufactures (including yarn) from the United Kingdom to France and Germany, respectively, for the same years.

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 22nd January, 1929, col. 24, Vol. 224] supplied the following statement:

men who through war service are now housed in pauper lunatic asylums, providing treatment somewhat on the lines adopted by the British Legion with ex-service men suffering from tuberculosis, with the ultimate object of enabling the to resume their ordinary occupations as far as possible?

Lieut.-Colonel STANLEY

All cases (whether of ex-service men or others) whose mental condition requires certification and who may need institutional treatment, are required to be dealt with in the mental hospitals provided for under the Lunacy Acts—institutions the description of which as "pauper lunatic asylums" I deprecate most strongly as both inaccurate and needlessly offensive to patients and their relatives. The hon. Member's suggestion has, however, already been met by the provision of not merely one but two special institutions which, with the assistance of the Board of Control, my right hon. Friend was enabled to set up in 1923, in conjunction with the general mental hospitals. These institutions were specifically designed for those cases in which the Ministry are medically advised that a chance of recovery or improvement is offered by special treatment in the form of occupational training and instruction.