HC Deb 11 July 1983 vol 45 cc267-8W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to be giving guidance to health authorities that it will be acceptable for medical staff to help illiterate mental patients to vote.

Mr. John Patten

Guidance to health authorities on the implementation of the new provisions for the electoral registration of informal patients in mental illness and mental handicap hospitals is being prepared by the Department and will be issued shortly. It will include guidance about the asistance that may be given by the staff of the hospital to patients who are unable to read or write.