HC Deb 12 December 1922 vol 159 cc2620-1W
Mr. F. ROBERTS

asked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he will encourage the exercise of the right possessed by borough councils of continuing together to run hospitals for early uncertifiable mental cases, which shall be under the health committees of the councils and entirely unconnected with lunacy administration, with a view to facilitating the speedy recovery of such cases as well as tending to an ultimate reduction in the £7,900,000 now spent annually on asylums?

Sir M. BARLOW

The question of providing for the treatment without certification of cases of early mental illness is at present under consideration, but the object which the hon. Member has in view cannot generally be secured effectively without amending legislation.

Mr. ROBERTS

further asked the Minister whether, in view of the expressed desire of the Board of Control to devise measures which shall legalise the detention for six months of uncertifiable mental cases under lunacy control, he will state if such legislation has been effected by means of a London County Council Bill of local application only, with reference to the so-called Maudslay Hospital; whether the said institution ranks as a London County Council asylum; and whether any other public asylum has by similar measures been empowered to detain uncertifiable cases under the guise of voluntary boarders, which is a status not yet recognised by the Lunacy Act as applicable in the case of public asylums?

Sir M. BARLOW

By Section 6 of the London County Council (Parks, etc.) Act, 1915, the visiting committee of the council are empowered to receive and lodge as a boarder at the Maudslay Hospital, on such terms and conditions as they may determine, any person suffering from incipient insanity or mental infirmity who is desirous of voluntarily submitting himself for treatment therefor. The powers only apply to the hospital mentioned, and no limit of time is prescribed by the Act. The hospital is one of the asylums of the London County Council. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.