Major Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the status and administration of the Royal Mental Hospitals was not considered by the Hetherington Committee although these hospitals are an integral part of the health services in Scotland; and if he has any statement to make on the matter.
Mr. JohnstonI am informed that in refraining from making recommendations based on the evidence which they received on the subject of the Royal Mental Hospitals, the Committee had in mind that the mental hospital service rests on a special code of law which is at present being reviewed by the Russell Committee on the Lunacy and Mental Deficiency Laws of Scotland. The position of the Royal Mental Hospitals in relation to the proposed new health service is not being overlooked.