§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many regions have not yet submitted proposals for establishing secure hospital units for mentally abnormal offenders.
§ Dr. OwenI assume the hon. Member is referring to regional secure units for those mentally ill and mentally handicapped patients who cannot satisfactorily be managed in ordinary psychiatric hospitals or units but whose condition is not such as to require treatment in a special hospital. Regional secure units are thus not only for offenders. All but two regions have submitted outline or preliminary proposals which they are discussing with staff and other interests.
§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many regions currently provide secure hospital units for mentally abnormal offenders.
§ Dr. OwenNo region has yet established a permanent regional secure unit. 10 have made some interim arrangements, and discussions about such interim arrangements are continuing in the other regions.