§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to encourage family practitioners to use section 47 of the National Assistance Act 1948 to enable sick people to be removed from their homes where life saving treatment cannot be effectively applied, and the patient does not realise his or her serious medical state.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsI have no reason to believe that family practitioners are not aware of the existence of powers under section 47 of the National Assistance Act 1948 and under the National Assistance (Amendment) Act 1951 whereby patients can be admitted to hospital against their will if it is considered to be in their best interests that they should be so admitted. These powers are invoked from time to time but must always be considered a last resort and I would not wish to encourage family practitioners to use this mechanism until all other means have failed.