§ 43. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Health if he will give consideration to ending the detention of mental-defective children at the Rampton Mental Hospital, in view of the harmful atmosphere to 4W curative treatment created by the policy of detaining there adult mental-defectives of violent and dangerous criminal types and of the fact that the staff are members of the Prison Officers' Association.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithBoys of dangerous or violent propensities are admitted to a special villa at Rampton when they cannot safely be kept in other mental deficiency hospitals. This is separate from the main hospital and the children do not mix with adult patients. I do not understand what appears to be some reflection on the staff in the last part of the Question.
§ 44. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Health why all adult mental-defective patients at Rampton have to go to bed at 8 p.m. during the summer months; and, since many are high grades and in good health, if he will give consideration to extending the hour in appropriate cases.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithBecause of considerations arising out of staffing and security. The practicability of extending the hour in appropriate cases is under consideration.