Mrs. Hume Pinsent, a member of the Royal Commission on this painful subject, who was the chief speaker at the meeting gave some disquieting statistics. As large a proportion as one in 200 of the population are to be classed as mentally defective, and those who still need to be cared for in their own, and the public’s interest number a little army of 66,000 persons. These are exclusive of lunatics or of feeble-minded people who are properly cared for. What the Royal Commission recommended was divided by Mrs. Pinsent under the two heads of unity of control and continuity of control – a single central and local authority charged with this express duty, and able to put an end to the “disastrous intervals of liberty” which the present division of responsibility allows. Bristol, Mrs. Pinsent reminded her hearers, is in advance of the country as a whole in having special schools for mentally defective children … (continues) …
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0245 Devonport: Ellen Frances Parker: 1866 – 1949