§ 44. Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that, when recently convicted at Bedford for theft, Ronald Eric Giddings, a male mental nurse, was revealed as having been previously convicted for the full offence of homosexuality; what inquiry he is holding into this particular case; and what precautions he is taking to ensure that no one, either male or female, possessing a previous criminal record, is appointed to be in nursing charge of the mentally sick.
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§ Mr. Walker-SmithI have made inquiries of the Hospital Management Committee and am satisfied that it had no reason to suspect that this man had a previous conviction when it engaged him for a month's trial as a nursing assistant. Hospital authorities do their best to ensure, by taking up references and otherwise, that the persons they employ are of good character, but no system that could be devised can be expected to be 100 per cent. successful.