Parliament, Press, Radio and Television

16th July: Adjournment Debate on the Probation service?pay and conditions. 23rd July: Mr. Van Straubenzee asked the Minister of Health how many young Persons aged 14, 15, 16 and 17 respectively, are at present detained in Broadmoor: whether his regulations prescribe any minimum age for such detention: and what special arrangements are made f?r the accommodation and treatment ?f such young persons. Mr. Powell: One, none, 2 and 2, respectively; no; so far as possible they are kept as a group. In a supplementary, Mr. van Straubenzee asked whether the Minister was satisfied that it is proper in this day and age for a child of 14 to be committed to Broadmoor under the Mental Health Act? Would it not be proper for hirn to open discussions with the appropriate legal authorities to see if s?me minimum age could be laid down? The Minister replied that he underwood the considerations in Mr. van Straubenzee's mind and that anxious c?nsideration was given to the case in question. Where full security, such as Is available only at Broadmoor, is necessary, accommodation at Broadmoor ^ust necessarily be accepted. The process of the patient would be anxiously itched.