§ Q17. Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Prime Minister what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to transfer mentally disordered persons from prison to hospital.
§ The Prime MinisterUnder the Mental Health Act 1959, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary may direct the transfer of a prisoner to hospital if he has received reports from two appropriately qualified doctors to the effect that the prisoner is suffering from a mental disorder which is of a nature or degree warranting his detention in 181W hospital for medical treatment. He is anxious to make full use of this power. Prison medical officers have, therefore, been encouraged to identify those prisoners most in need of hospital treatment and to arrange for the preparation of the necessary reports. As soon as such reports are received, every effort is made to secure a place in a suitable hospital so that a transfer direction may be issued.