HC Deb 15 November 1979 vol 973 cc749-50W
Mr. Alton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement on allegations of torture and brutality at Broadmoor hospital.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

In September it came to the notice of the Department that a young student nurse from Broadmoor hospital had made certain allegations about ill-treatment at that hospital, and he was accordingly interviewed by senior officers of the Department. He gave details of a small number of occasions when, he alleged, he had witnessed members of staff ill-treating patients. If these allegations are true, criminal offences may have been committed. Details of the allegations were therefore immediately passed to the Thames Valley constabulary which is investigating them.

I have every confidence in the management of Broadmoor hospital.