HC Deb 16 May 1918 vol 106 cc559-60W
Mr. KING

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the provisions of Section 22 of the Lunacy Act, 1890, are not known to persons who might be likely to avail themselves of them; whether a wider knowledge of them has been considered by the Lunacy Commissioners as tending to relieve the present congestion and expense of lunatic asylums; whether a short leaflet will be prepared setting out the terms or effect of this Section and pointing out that friends or relatives of an alleged lunatic may, previous to certification, claim that the patient may be handed over to them on their assuming responsibility for him; and whether efforts will be made to make this procedure and its advantages known?

Sir G. CAVE

There is no reason to think that patients are detained in asylums who might be properly cared for by relatives or friends. Before a justice makes an order for the detention of an alleged lunatic he must satisfy himself that the patient is a proper person to be detained, and for this purpose takes into consideration the question whether any relatives or friends are able and willing to give the patient proper care. Further, any application from relatives or friends for the discharge of a patient is carefully considered by the Asylums Committee, who are anxious to discharge patients when this can safely be done. I do not think any useful purpose would be served by such action as the hon. Member suggests.