HC Deb 11 November 1957 vol 577 cc16-7W
Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Health why it is taking so long to supply the information asked for by the hon. Member for Erith and Crayford in respect of the cases of two mental patients, Mr. G. G. Allgood and Mr. A. J. Conolly.

Mr. Walker-Smith

Replies were sent to the hon. Member about these cases on 31st October.

Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Health what decision has been reached in respect of the consideration given to the censoring of mental patients' letters.

Mr. Walker-Smith

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a circular sent to medical superintendents on 30th July last.

Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Health why Members of Parliament are not included in the list of persons to whom mental patients are allowed to write; and if consideration will be given to their inclusion.

Mr. Walker-Smith

Section 41 (1) of the Lunacy Act, 1890, and Regulation 44 of the Mental Deficiency Regulations, 1948, which deal with the correspondence of patients, do not mention Members of Parliament among the list of persons and bodies to whom letters written by patients must be forwarded unopened. The question of including Members of Parliament in such a list is under consideration in connection with new mental health legislation.