HC Deb 23 November 1994 vol 250 cc215-6W
Dr. Lynne Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for health what steps she is taking to ensure that inquiries into homicides by mentally ill people, independent of the providers involved, are being set up in every such case as required by circular HSG (94) 27.

Mr. Bowis

The requirement to hold independent inquiries into homicides involving mentally ill people was re-emphasised in the draft guide to arrangements for

(a) in 1979 and (b) in the latest year for which a number is available.

Mr. Sackville

In 1979 the Department of Health and Social Security was responsible for 97 non-departmental public bodies. At 1 April 1993, the latest year for which data are available, the Department of Health was responsible for 50 non-departmental public bodies.