§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many medical graduates from the Republic of Ireland have become family practitioner principals in the United Kingdom annually over the past five years; and how many medical graduates from the Republic of Ireland have become junior hospital doctors annually during the past five years.
§ Dr. VaughanThe information requested is available only with regard to general medical practitioners and in relation to England and Wales. Information on numbers withdrawing from general practice is also given to show the net overall reduction over the period in the numbers of Republic of Ireland qualified graduates.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergSection 65 of the Mental Health Act 1959 provides that a Crown court may, if it commits a psychopath or other mentally disordered person to hospital, apply a restriction order if
it appears to the court, having regard to the nature of the offence, the antecedents of the offenders and the risk of his committing further offences if set at large, that it is necessary for the protection of the public to do so.Similarly, the Secretary of State for the Home Department may, under section 74 of that Act, place restrictions on a prisoner who is transferred to hospital because of mental disorder. Such patients are usually subject to statutory conditions on their discharge and special arrangements are made for their supervision in the community, including psychiatric and social supervision. If their behaviour or mental condition gives rise to concern, they may be recalled to hospital by the Secretary of State for the Home Department.
We believe that these arrangements provide the proper protection for the public and that further legislation is not appropriate in the case of other persons, who cease to be detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act, and on whom restrictions were not imposed by the courts or the Secretary of State for the Home Department.