MENTAL DEFICIENCY BILL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1816, 31 July 1913, Page 7

MENTAL DEFICIENCY BILL.

READ A THIRD TIME. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ■ (Rec. July 30, 11.15 p.m.) London, July 30. Tho Mental Deficiency Bill has been read a third time in the House of Commons. Tho Mental Deficiency Bill provides that tho control over mentally defective persons —whether lunatic, idiot, or fceble-ninid-ed—shall be exercised by a single hoard, consisting primarily or eiijht paid Lumacy Commissioners. There will 1)3 in all 12 paid commissioners, of whom one must be a woman, and three unpaid, including at least, ono woman. Feeble-minded persons, who are not now certificated, cannot ba dealt with compulsorily under tho Hill unless they are neglected, abandoned, or cruelly treated, or have committed criminal offences or are proved to bo habitual drunkards. Children may lx> dealt with conipulsorily if they are shown to l>e incapable mentally or morally of benefiting by education in special schools, or if notified by tho local authorities ns requiring protection after leaving school. Another class coming under tho Hill aro feeble-minded women -who gave birth to illegitimate children while ill vcrciiit, of poor relief. Half the cost of the duties imposed upon local authorities by Hie Hill will bo borne by the State, but: llicy aro Riven an optional power to spend money independently. Tho amount of the State grant is limited to .£150.000 a but. that docs not represent tho whole cliarge that would fall upon tho Exchequer,