HC Deb 12 July 1923 vol 166 cc1613-4W
Mr. F. HALL

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that the provisions of Section 79 of the Lunacy Act, in regard to the right of friends, as distinct from relatives, to apply for the discharge of patients, are rendered nugatory by concealment of that right, he will see that the recommendation of the Cobbe Committee as to the posting up of that section in the waiting rooms of asylums is carried out, and that, similarly, the provisions of Section 22 of the Lunacy Act shall be posted up in infirmaries in such a way as to acquaint friends and relatives with their rights under the said section?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

As regards Section 79 I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Pontypool (Mr. Griffiths) on the 12th March last. As regards Section 22 I doubt if any advantage would be secured by such action as is suggested.

Mr. T. GRIFFITHS

asked the Minister of Health whether the Board of Control has yet completed its inquiry into the number of private patients who have been seen by no magistrate, and in the absence of any prejudicial certificate have not been served by the manager of the private asylum with any notice of their right of appeal; what means have been, or will be, devised to ascertain with certitude whether a document of such legal importance has been served or not; and, in the event of its being discovered that the inmate has been defrauded of this right, what disciplinary measures will be taken?

Earl WINTERTON

The figures are given below. As regards the last part of the question my hon. and gallant Friend must be aware that the allotment of troops on mobilisation is secret.

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

The hon. Member has already been supplied with the result of the inquiry which was made by the Board of Control in regard to this matter. That inquiry shows that in only a very few institutions have the requirements of Section 8 not been fully adhered to. In these cases the Board have warned the authorities concerned and have received from them assurances that in future the requirements of the Statute will be strictly observed.