§ Captain ERSKINE-BOLSTasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that John Ernest Taylor, Military Medal, late 8th City of London Post Office Rifles, son of Mr. Taylor, of 123, Pedro Street, Clapton, E.5, is at present in Ward R2, Mental Hospital, Claybury, suffering from shell shock; that when he, in a fit of depression, tore a bed sheet, he was placed 1635W in a small, shuttered, and darkened room with several lunatics, without sufficient clothing; that, when visited by his parents on the 8th and 9th of April, he was shivering and had developed a chill; and that the mother was informed on the 22nd of April by the doctor that her son had been vomiting and was not expected to recover; and whether he will take steps to have this patient removed to a shell-shock or convalescent home and institute inquiries into the conduct of the officials concerned at Claybury?
§ Lord E. PERCYThe Board of Control have seen the Medical Superintendent of Claybury and inquired fully into the circumstances of this case. The patient, James (not John) Ernest Taylor is suffering from dementia praecox. He is at times violently impulsive and destructive. On 5th April he destroyed a sheet and pillow cases and was placed in a side room which, for his own protection, had the shutters of the window closed. It is not a fact that other patients were in this side room with him, or that he was without sufficient clothing. The medical officer who has had charge of the case since December states that the patient has never suffered from a chill while under his care. The patient vomited on the 23rd and was seen by the medical officer, who prescribed for him, and on the following day he had recovered from this attack. Mrs. Taylor who visited her son on the 23rd April was informed that his mental prospects were poor; not that his general health was critical; he is, in fact, physically a strong and healthy man. My right hon. Friend is advised that the patient is not at present a suitable case to be treated outside a mental hospital. During his residence at Claybury he has attacked and seriously injured three attendants, one of whom was off duty for six weeks.