§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give details of the ways in which he is seeking to improve the situation of mentally disordered offenders.
§ Mr. MoyleMuch of the improvement which we would like to see in the position of mentally disordered offenders will stem from our overall strategy for improving services for all mentally disordered people. Regional health authorities are also aware of the importance and high priority which I attach to the planning and construction of regional secure psychiatric units and to the making of suitable interim arrangements—for both of which special allocations of funds have been made. As these are developed, they will improve the NHS's capacity to deal with difficult patients.
As my hon. Friend is aware, we are to commission research, jointly with the 213W Home Department, which will help identify more precisely the characteristics and security of treatment needs of those offenders who meet the criteria of the Mental Health Act for detention in hospital. We are also seeking, in all ways possible, to improve understanding and co-operation between the various organisations, such as NHS hospitals, special hospitals and prisons, which will continue to share responsibility for the care of the wide range of people whose problems are included in the description "mentally disordered offenders". Perhaps the most important factors are the attitudes of staff and the public in general; influencing these will take time and progress will be gradual.