§ Sir J. BRUTONasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Service or ex-Service men when sent to lunatic asylums are put into pauper clothes until the asylum authorities are notified by the Home Office that they accept them as Service patients; and, pending acceptance (which may not be given for six weeks to three months), whether it would be possible to allow these men to wear their Service or civilian clothes, and thus avoid the distress caused to their relatives on finding them in pauper attire?
§ Mr. SHORTTEx-Service men sent to lunatic asylums direct from war hospitals under Section 91 of the Army Act or Section 3 of the Naval Enlistment Act, 1884, are immediately on admission transferred to the private class, and, as private patients, are permitted to wear their own clothes. This class form the bulk of the ex-Service men admitted to asylums. Ex-Service men admitted on summary reception orders after discharge from the Army or Navy are chargeable to the rates until their eligibility to be classed as "Service" patients has been investigated by the Ministry of Pensions, and they are clothed for the time being as ordinary patients. Where a medical superintendent has reason to believe that a man of the latter class will be accepted as a "Service" patient, I think he might properly allow such a patient to wear his own clothing, and I will ask the Board of Control to make this suggestion to the asylum authorities.