§ Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that John McGhee has escaped from the State institution for dangerous mental defectives, Carstairs, for the second time in one year; and whether he considers the safety precautions adequate.
§ Mr. MaclayYes. Steps have already been taken to improve security measures, and others are under consideration. The improvement of security measures is constantly under review.
§ Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is satisfied with the warning system at Carstairs as sufficient for occasions when escapes are made from the State institution for dangerous mental defectives; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaclayExperience suggests that the present warning system is adequate for its purpose but the matter is being kept under review.
§ Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the number of persons detained at the State institution for dangerous mental defectives, Carstairs; the number of guards; and whether the staff are adequate.
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§ Mr. MaclayThere are ninety-five patients in the State Institution for Mental Defectives at Carstairs. The institution and the adjacent State mental hospital have a joint staff of seventy-one male nurses. These staff, of whom twenty-seven have been recruited in recent month, provide adequate supervision. Some overtime is, however, necessary at present and the recruitment of additional staff is in hand.
§ Mr. Patrick Maitlandasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many inmates of the Criminal Lunatic Department of Perth Prison have been transferred to the State institution for mental defectives at Carstairs; and how many additional staff have been appointed at Carstairs to care for them.
§ Mr. MaclayNinety-nine inmates were transferred in October; twenty-seven additional staff have so far been appointed.