§ Mr. Dudley Smithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) why those responsible at the Abbeyfields Mental Hospital, Studley, Warwickshire did not inform Mr. and Mrs. C. Pearce, of Leamington Spa that their daughter Andree Pearce, a patient in their care, had been found dead after disappearing from the hospital, or give any explanation to them over her disappearance;
(2) whether he will institute an inquiry into the case of a Leamington Spa woman who disappeared from the Abbeyfields Mental Hospital, Studley, with another patient who had been detained under the Mental Health Act, and whose body was 293W subsequently found in a derelict house 13 days later.
§ Mr. MoyleThe staff of Abbeyfields Hospital did inform Mr. and Mrs. Pearce as soon as it was realised that their daughter had disappeared from the hospital, but did not inform them of her death because they knew that the police had already done so. The Warwickshire Area Health Authority have been making inquiries into the circumstances of Miss Pearce's disappearance and will consult my Department in deciding whether there is a need for a formal inquiry. I will write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.