§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMasked the Home Secretary whether any means of adequately treating those who are defective mentally as a result of sleepy sickness, which may drive them into the commission of crime, now exists in this country; and, if so, whether he can give benches of magistrates any advice as to how to treat such cases which come before them?
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§ Mr. CLYNESI am advised by the Minister of Health that any persons who are mentally defective within the meaning of the Mental Deficiency Acts, 1913–27, whether or not they are suffering from the after-effects of sleepy sickness, can be dealt with in a certified institution willing to receive them, but that at present there is an insufficiency of institutional accommodation throughout the country, although if the persons concerned have dangerous and violent propensities the Board of Control have provided accommodation at the Rampton State Institution. I will consider, in consultation with the Minister of Health, whether there is any advice that can usefully be given to magistrates in the matter.