§ 18. Mrs. Knightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will take appropriate steps to provide properly secure units for psychopathic patients.
§ Dr. OwenWe have already asked health authorities to set up regional security units for patients requiring treatment in conditions of security short of that provided by the special hospitals but greater than that normally available in ordinary psychiatric hospitals or units. Such patients may include psychopathic patients requiring hospital treatment.
The recent Report of the Butler Committee on Mentally Abnormal Offenders expresses the view that dangerous antisocial psychopaths should generally be dealt with in the penal system and that special prison units should be set up for this purpose. The Government are considering this and the other recommendations made by the Committee.
§ Mrs. KnightWill the hon. Gentleman say anything more definite about when the Butler Committee recommendations are likely to be implemented? Does he agree that escapes from mental hospitals 216 not equipped to contain dangerous persons are genuinely worrying to the public? Will he comment on the case in Bristol last week, when such a patient had to be sent to prison because the mental hospitals refused to have him?
§ Dr. OwenOn the question of the implementation of the Butler Report, the Committee issued an interim report in which it drew attention to the need for regional security units. Action has already been taken on that matter. In its final report the Committee made a recommendation about revenue support as well as capital support. The Government's attitude on this complex and detailed report is that there are some aspects on which we would like to take action before we have considered the full report. We intend to consider these matters in conjunction with the Home Office—the other Department that is most closely involved—with a view to implementing as we can.
As regards the Bristol case, the South-western Regional Health Authority is continuing its efforts to find a hospital place within the region for the man concerned.
§ Mr. MoonmanIs it not appropriate that the consultative document which is to be produced in about three months' time should make some reference to the matter?
§ Dr. OwenI do not know whether my hon. Friend is aware that there are two consultative documents on which we have made a commitment. One document is concerned with the whole question of resources, and with how we manage the question of priorities. We also have a commitment to consider the working of the Mental Health Act. That certainly bears on some of the aspects of the Butler Report, which makes recommendations for changes in the Act. The whole question of the definition of psychopathy is raised. There are some other aspects of the report which are not covered in the consultative paper.