HC Deb 03 April 1979 vol 965 c1153
9. Mr. Dudley Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the administration or section 4 of the National Health Service Act 1977, which seeks to provide for those patients who are detained under the Mental Health Act 1959 and who, in his opinion, require treatment under conditions of special security on account of their dangerous or criminal propensities.

Mr. Moyle

Yes, within the current constraints of the situation. My Department has the difficult task of deciding which people satisfy the stringent tests laid down in section 4 for admission to a special hospital. In order that there shall always be places available when urgent need arises, it is essential that the criteria are strictly maintained. If the hon. Gentleman has a point in mind I should be pleased to consider it.

Mr. Smith

Is the Minister aware that over 300 people are now serving long prison sentences who are, by general agreement, better suited to secure mental institutions? Is he also aware that one of those is my former constituent, Mr. Brian Nordon, who is serving a life sentence? On the recommendation of the trial judge and three leading psychiatrists Mr. Nordon should be in a mental institution. In those circumstances will the Minister do something about it?

Mr. Moyle

There is no general agreement about the number of persons who should be in more secure accommodation, but we are pursuing a programme of regional secure units to take care of those people. The hon. Gentleman is referring to a constituent of his who is serving a sentence of life imprisonment for the manslaughter of his wife. That case has been considered three times on applications for a special hospital bed. Each time, it has been turned down because there is no reason to believe that he is a danger to any particular person or to the public.