HC Deb 04 February 1965 vol 705 cc1255-6
4. Mr. Abse

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the recommendations made by the Working Party on the Prison Medical Service have now been carried out; how many psychiatrists have been appointed jointly by his Department and regional hospital boards; what steps are being taken fully to implement the recommendations of the Report; and whether he will make a statement.

6. Mr. Bishop

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied that adequate facilities are available in all institutions and prisons under his control to ensure proper treatment leading to mental health of those detained; and if he will make a statement.

The Minister of State, Home Department (Miss Alice Bacon)

A committee on which officials of my Department and of the Ministry of Health have the valuable assistance of Dr. T. C. N. Gibbens of the Institute of Psychiatry, and Dr. Peter Scott of the Maudsley Hospital are dealing with the implementation of all the Working Party's recommendations and are giving priority to the question of joint psychiatric appointments with regional hospital boards and teaching hospitals at consultant and registrar levels. My right hon. Friend hopes that it will be possible to introduce a number of these posts in the coming financial year.

Mr. Abse

Might I thank the Minister for that encouraging reply, and might I hope that the Committee, with its distinguished members, will act with as much expedition as possible in view of the way in which the public are looking to the implementation of this Report to assist in remedial treatment of criminals and research into the aetiology of crime?

Miss Bacon

I can assure my hon. Friend that my right hon. Friend is very anxious to get on with the implementation of the whole of the report as soon as possible.