§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to seek to amend the Hypnotism Act 1952 in view of the increase of the use of hypnosis by doctors and dentists and the need to protect patients against lay therapists.
§ Mr. MoyleThe Hypnotism Act 1952, which is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department, is concerned with the use of hypnotism in places of entertainment. My Department's view on the use of hypnosis in the clinical field is that treatment by hypnosis should be carried out by professionally qualified people such as doctors, dentists and psychologists, who subscribe to a recognised ethical code governing the relationship of therapist to patient. I have received no evidence of a need to protect patients against lay therapists in this field.