Mentally Handicapped Children (Sterilisation)

Mr. Christopher Price
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he plans to issue the guidelines on sterilisation of mentally handicapped children under the age of 16 mentioned in circular DS/333/75.

Sir George Young
Comments from organisations and authorities on the discussion paper circulated with DS/333/75--------------------------------
|(a) Section 26                |
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|(b) Section 60                |
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|(c) Sections 60 and 65        |
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|(d) Sections 71, 72, 73 and 74|
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|(e) Sections 29, 25 and 136   |
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Mr. Christopher Price
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of the patients currently detained in each of the special hospitals are in the following age groups (a) less than 12 years of age, (b) 12 to 14 years, (c) 14 to------------------------
|14 to 16 years    |…|…|
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|16 to 18 years    |…|…|
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|18 to 21 years    |…|…|
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|21 to 65 years    |…|…|
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|65 to 75 years    |…|…|
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|More than 75 years|…|…|
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|Grand totals      |…|…|
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There are no patients under 14 years of age in the special hospitals.

Mr. Christopher Price
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services on how many occasions patients in mental illness and mental handicap hospitals were sterilised during the years 1975 to 1979;

revealed no general acceptance that a code of practice on this subject was either necessary or likely to be helpful. My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to issue guidance in relation to the sterilisation of mentally handicapped children.