§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is his estimate of the number of parents who, for financial reasons, are unable to visit their children detained in hospital for periods in excess of one week, more than once a week, and once a fortnight, respectively;
(2) if his Department will introduce a scheme to enable parents who visit their children in hospital to obtain a refund of the amount expended on travel which is in excess of the cost of keeping such children at home; and if he will make a statement;
(3) if he will introduce a scheme to enable parents who are not in receipt of supplementary benefit to receive financial assistance with fares for visiting children detained in hospital.
§ Mr. AlisonMy right hon. Friend has no general powers to contribute towards the travel expenses of visitors to patients in hospital. Parents within the scope of the supplementary benefits scheme have the costs of visiting their children in hospital taken into account in calculating their benefit entitlement and I am sure that the great majority of parents are able to visit their children in hospital regularly without financial hardship. Where travelling problems do arise, this is a very suitable field for voluntary help and we are encouraging such help through the voluntary organisations.
22W
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average number of children who are detained in hopsital for periods in excess of one week, two weeks and four weeks, respectively.
§ Mr. AlisonIn 1969, the latest year for which figures are available, the estimated numbers of spells of care of children in non-psychiatric hospitals in England and Wales were:
In excess of 7 days … … 231,000 In excess of 2 weeks … … 101,000 In excess of 4 weeks … … 36,000 Notes. The above figures are to the nearest 1,000. The figures in the first group include those in the other two: similarly those in the second group include those in the third.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average number of children detained in sub-normality and psychiatric hospitals.
§ Mr. AlisonAbout 6,300 under the age of 15 in English hospitals. Of these, I understand that less than a score are normally detained compulsorily under Mental Health Act powers.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the names of hospitals which are assisted by charitable organisations in the provision of transport to enable parents to visit children detained in hospital; and what is the extent of the help so provided.
§ Mr. AlisonThe information is not available.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what directives have been issued by his Department to hospitals concerning the visits of parents to children who are detained in hospital; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what is his policy with regard to the provision of full visiting facilities for parents whose children are detained in hospital; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlisonHospital authorities were reminded in a memorandum issued in 1971—HM(71)22—of advice given in an earlier memorandum—HM(66)18—that arrangements should be made to facilitate the unrestricted visiting of children. They 23W were also advised that all children's departments will require accommodation for parents so that they may stay with their children during assessment, during acute illness, and from time to time during long-stay care.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the names of hospitals which discourage parents from freely visiting children who are detained in hospital.
§ Mr. AlisonWe are satisfied that hospital authorities are aware of my Department's policy that no restrictions should be placed on parents visiting their children in hospital. If the hon. Member knows of any particular hospital where such visits are being discouraged, and will let me know, I will gladly look into the matter.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the names of hospitals providing overnight accommodation for parents desirous of visiting their children detained in hospital, and of those who refuse to provide such accommodation.
§ Mr. AlisonI regret that the information is not available centrally.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many applications were received by the Supplementary Benefits Commission for financial assistance by parents with low-earned income to visit children in hospital in each of the years 1968 to 1971.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what research has been done by his Department into the need to enable frequent and regular visits to be made by parents whose children are detained in hospital, and as to the need to provide parents in financial need with financial assistance there for.
§ Mr. AlisonThe need for unrestricted visiting by parents of their children in hospital is accepted, and is departmental policy.
24WWe are satisfied that the arrangements for financial assistance are generally adequate.