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This book explores the complex relationship between public policy and scandal. By critically examining some of the landmark scandals of the postwar period, using a variety of contemporary records and by close examination of the public inquiries which followed, this book describes the process whereby scandals are constructed and pursued, and demonstrates how scandals coincide with key shifts in public policy, in ways that are more complex and reciprocal than might first appear.
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Social Policy, Social Welfare and Scandal How British Public Policy is Made Ian Butler and Mark Drakeford Social Policy, Social Welfare and Scandal This page intentionally left blank Social Policy, Social Welfare and Scandal How British Public Policy is Made Ian Butler and Mark Drakeford © Ian Butler and Mark Drakeford 2003 All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without written permission. No Paragraph of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted save with written permission or in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, or under the terms of any licence permitting limited copying issued by the Copyright Agency, 90 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 4LP. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages. The authors have asserted their rights to be identified as the authors of this work in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. First published 2003 by PALGRAVE MACMILLAN Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6XS and 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010 Companies and representatives throughout the world PALGRAVE MACMILLAN is the global academic imprint of the Palgrave Macmillan division of St. Martin’s Press, LLC and of Palgrave Macmillan Ltd. Macmillan® is a registered trademark in the United States, United Kingdom and other countries. Palgrave is a registered trademark in the European Union and other countries. ISBN 0–333–74762–3 hardback This book is printed on paper suitable for recycling and made from fully managed and sustained forest sources. A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. A catalogue record for this book is available from the Library of Congress. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 12 11 10 09 08 07 06 05 04 03 Printed and bound in Great Britain by Antony Rowe Ltd, Chippenham and Eastbourne Dan, Emma, Jonathon, Mark, Matthew and Tony This page intentionally left blank Contents Notes on the Authors x Acknowledgements xi 1 Scandal Introduction Scandal The Committee of Inquiry Public policy 1 1 2 3 4 2 ‘Gothic Nightmare’: Madness and Public Policy from the Eighteenth Century Introduction The growth of the asylum Madness and the family Fear of improper confinement The medicalisation of madness Reaction against institutions 6 6 10 12 14 16 23 3 ‘The Corruption of Care’: The Ely Hospital Inquiry 1969 Introduction Sans Everything Ely Generating scandal Public Record Office papers The ingredients of scandal: heroes, victims and villains Responding to the Report Protection for some … … negligence for others The aftermath of Ely The policy impact of scandal 30 30 31 39 40 42 44 49 50 51 52 54 4 ‘Household Happiness, Gracious Children’: Children, Welfare and Public Policy, 1840–1970 Introduction The legacy of the nineteenth century Baby farming and the colonisation of the family The prevention of cruelty to children 56 56 58 60 64 vii viii Contents The 1908 Children Act The prelude to welfarism, 1908–1945 Family problems, 1945–1969 Conclusion 66 67 69 75 5 The Story of ‘Cinderella’: The