Treasurer's report

The Treasurer presented a brief report, as members had already received a copy of her formal Report, together with a summary of the accounts. Both had already been approved by the Executive and Finance Committee, Council and the auditors.

The Treasurer reported that the College's largest source of income came from members' subscriptions, so it was a cause of satisfaction that the membership had increased to over 10 000. However, in 2000 there was a less good climate for investment and for fundraising and, as a result, the surplus was less than for the previous year. None the less, many worthwhile activities and developments had been supported, in line with the College's charitable objectives. Next year, more equitable tiered subscription rates would be introduced for overseas members and for those with reduced incomes for reasons such as taking maternity leave or working part-time.

The Treasurer stated that she aimed to make the College's income and expenditure as transparent as possible, which she hoped would be helpful to members.

Finally, in response to a question concerning the surplus made by the Examinations Department, the Treasurer confirmed that this was a very well run Department, which set budgets with appropriate prudence, but which could not be certain in advance of numbers of applicants. However, if (as last year) a modest surplus was made, the College was discussing with the trainees how this could be used to benefit both the examination system in general and the trainees themselves.

Resolution

The following resolution was proposed by Professor Robin Jacoby and seconded by Dr James Birley: “Bearing in mind the available evidence that political dissidents in The People's Republic of China (PRC) are being systematically detained in psychiatric hospitals, we propose that the Royal College of Psychiatrists takes the following action: (1) to join with the WPA to arrange a fact-finding visit to the PRC; and (2) if this visit and other evidence confirm political abuse of psychiatry, to ask the WPA to reconsider the constituent membership of the Chinese Society of Psychiatrists.”

An additional paragraph (“(3) the College will commit itself to work with the Chinese Society of Psychiatrists to advance psychiatry and its practices in PRC to be ethically sound and evidence-based”) was proposed by Dr E. Chiu, but was not seconded.

Following further discussion, an additional paragraph was proposed by Professor C. Katona and seconded by Professor C. Allwood: “(3) to work with the WPA to provide support for those Chinese psychiatrists who are committed to ethical and evidence-based practice.” This was supported by an overwhelming majority.

The following amendment to paragraph (2) was proposed by Dr R. Brahma and seconded by Dr R. Lutchman: “if this visit and other evidence confirm widespread political abuse of psychiatry, to ask the WPA to reconsider the constituent membership of the Chinese Society of Psychiatrists”. This amendment was defeated by a large majority.

A vote was then taken on the original resolution and the additional third paragraph: “Bearing in mind the available evidence that political dissidents in The People's Republic of China (PRC) are being systematically detained in psychiatric hospitals, we propose that the Royal College of Psychiatrists takes the following action: (1) to join with the WPA to arrange a fact-finding visit to the PRC; (2) if this visit and other evidence confirm political abuse of psychiatry, to ask the WPA to reconsider the constituent membership of the Chinese Society of Psychiatrists; (3) to work with the WPA to provide support for those Chinese psychiatrists who are committed to ethical and evidence-based practice.” This was carried by an overwhelming majority.