§ Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current policy regarding examinations by prison medical officers, at places other than within prison facilities, of persons remanded on bail, in cases where requests for such examinations are made on reasonable grounds by the courts or by defence solicitors.
§ Mr. HurdArrangements have existed for several years at certain establishments under which medical reports may be provided for the courts on defendants remanded on bail. It is for the local management to decide whether examinations under these arrangements take place in the prison hospital or elsewhere.
§ Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied with medical arrangements within Her Majesty's prisons and, in particular, with the arrangements for joint consultant appointments and with the staffing levels of qualified medical practitioners in the prison medical service.
§ Mr. HurdMy right hon. and learned Friend is generally satisfied with the medical arrangements in prisons but there are areas in which we are anxious to make improvements. In particular we acknowledge that the prison medical service is under strength. Efforts are being made to attract a greater number of suitably experienced and qualified doctors to the service and are meeting with some success. The supply of consultant psychiatric services (including forensic services) is in general satisfactory. The system of joint appointments raised a number of difficulties and there are no plans for further appointments of this kind.