HC Deb 21 May 1924 vol 173 cc2225-6W
Mr. COSTELLO

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that borough councils are at present empowered by the Public Health Act, 1875, to establish and maintain hospitals for any class of illness, he will consider the advisability of allocating to the health committees of local authorities grants sufficient for the provision, where desired, of hospitals for uncertifiable cases of nervous breakdown to promote their restoration to self-supporting life while avoiding the stigma associated with institutions under the control of the lunacy authorities?

Mr. WHEATLEY

The terms of reference to the Royal Commission will include the question of the best method of providing for the treatment of mental disorder in the incipient stage; and pending the recommendations of the Commission I am not prepared to introduce legislation on the subject.