§ Mr. Hamlingasked the Minister of Health what further steps his Department is taking to provide institutional care for alcoholics; and what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on compulsory treatment in certain cases.
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§ Mr. LoughlinI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend on 8th February to the Members for Louth (Sir C. Osborne) and Derbyshire, South-East (Mr. Park); progress is kept under review. I am advised that the successful treatment of alcoholics depends on their co-operation, but alcoholism may be evidence of mental disorder which warrants detention under the Mental Health Act, 1959.