§ Mr. Hoosonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the Government still adhere to the long-term recommendations of the Butler Committee that secure units for the treatment of psychiatric prisoners convicted by the courts should be built into a wider structure of forensic/psychiatric/therapeutic activity or whether he has abandoned this aim.
§ Mr. MoyleThe Butler committee did not suggest that regional secure units should accommodate only mentally abnormal offenders. The units are intended for patients requiring a degree of security greater than that of the ordinary psychiatric hospital but less than the very high degree of security provided by the special hospitals. Our policy remains as stated in the regional secure unit design guidelines (1975) that these units should be seen as an integral part of the psychiatric services and we take this into account when considering plans submitted by regional health authorities.