Reforms of the laws governing our treatment of lunatics were
outlined by the Lord Chancellor (Lord Cave) at a meeting of the Mental After-Care Association on Friday, March 16th. Two things were needed, he said. First, better machinery for the treatment of cases which were still of a doubtful character without having recourse to certification. Second, wider power for visiting com- mittees in the matter of after-care. He also believed that women should be asked to serve on these committees. This last is, of course, an obvious reform. For the rest, though, as our readers know, the Spectator welcomes almost any official activity in this sphere, we feel that .Lord Cave has-not so far perhaps-quite hit upon the right method of reform. Why not, for instance, improve the machinery of certification instead of setting up a fresh system beside it ? Certification is a system which, though faulty, is intended to safeguard the interests of the insane. Lord Cave's plan, for one thing, involves -treatment by a Department of the State of those who do not properly come under its jurisdiction, and will -leave the lot of those who must still be certified un- ameliorated. However, Lord 'Cave's statement was guarded and conditional, and he may much improve upon his present -plans before taking-action.
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