The White Paper Better Services for the Mentally Ill, published by the Department of Health and Social Security, outlines long-term and comprehensive policies for the mentally ill and contains broad strategies, but does not contain any recommendations for implementation. As stated by the Secretary of State in the foreword, it is ‘a statement of objectives against which shorter term decisions can be made’. A consultative document is being prepared which will lead to legislation.

Whether the existing law affords adequate protection to children and young persons against sexual acts committed against them or other indecent conduct; whether the method by which this protection is given is satisfactory; and, in particular, whether any changes are desirable in the law relating to indecent assault and the legal presumption that a child under the age of consent (at present 16) is deemed to be incapable of consenting to sexual acts.

The protective function of the law has always favoured the weak, vulnerable and immature, particularly against those in a position of trust. Children are by their very nature easily influenced by adults, either for good or for evil, and the effects of abuse of this trust can be far-reaching. There are, of course, situations in which the child is aware of the adult’s misbehaviour, but in such circumstances the child’s irresponsibility is rightly assumed whereas that of the adult is particularly culpable.

In the latter part of 1974 a questionnaire was sent to all senior registrars working in general psychiatry within the United Kingdom inquiring about their career intentions. of the 221 who fell within the scope of the survey 203 replied, a response rate of 92 per cent. A preliminary analysis of the replies was published in News and Notes for August 1975 and a more detailed account is to be published. In brief, 155 indicated that they were aiming for a consultant post in general psychiatry (with or without a special interest) in the United Kingdom while 28 indicated that they intended going into a psychiatric specialty in this country. This latter group were not asked which specialty they were going into nor what grade they were aiming for.