HC Deb 03 July 1961 vol 643 cc72-3W
65. Dr. D. Johnson

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the light of the judge's comments in the case of Derek Sowle, he will appoint a committee of inquiry to report on this and other cases in which mental and mental defective patients have been responsible for crimes of violence.

66. Mr. Lipton

asked the Minister of Health if he will investigate the circumstances in which Ronald Derek Sowle, ordered to be detained in Rampton for forty years, previously ceased to be a mental patient.

67. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Health if he will arrange for an investigation into the circumstances in which Ronald Derek Sowle was reclassified as an informal mental patient.

68. Mr. McLaren

asked the Minister of Health if he will inquire into the case of Ronald Derek Sowle, a mental patient who was convicted on 29th June at Bristol Assizes of manslaughter, and who had been reclassified three days before the commission of the offence of which he was convicted; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Powell

Investigation is being made, and I shall make a further statement.