§ Mr. A. T. DAVIESasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many aged persons under the care of asylums boards and boards of guardians are certified as lunatics when suffering only from senile decay; whether his attention has been directed to the unnecessary stigma cast on the descendants of such persons by such certification; and whether inquiry may be made with a view to preventing persons of very advanced years being certified and treated as lunatics?
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§ Mr. WHEATLEYIt is true that many persons whose mental breakdown is attributable to senile decay have been certified under the Lunacy Acts only in this way can their detention be legalised. It has been the policy of the Board of Control, however, not to press for the certification of such cases. No doubt the subject will be considered by the proposed Royal Commission.