§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland under what circumstances, and for what purpose, the drug paraldehyde was administered to James Alexander Burns in November 1982; and on what other occasions, and in what circumstances, the drug was administered in Scottish prisons in 1982.
§ Mr. Allan StewartWhen the Medical Officer at Barlinnie Prison saw Mr. James Burns at the prison on 1 November 1982 he found Mr. Burns to be manic and very508W distressed. The Medical Officer diagnosed that Mr. Burns was under the influence of unauthorised drugs and took the view that if left untreated his manic state could lead to further dangerous illness or physical injury. The Medical Officer administered 20 millilitres of Paraldehyde, which acts quickly to control mania or fits and does not depress the respiratory system.
The use of Paraldehyde to sedate a disturbed patient is an appropriate and safe medical and psychiatric practice. It is the safest drug to use when, as in the case of Mr. Bums, it is not known what other drugs are in the patient's system.
Without reviewing individual prisoners' records a precise figure cannot be given but records of drugs consumed indicate that Paraldehyde was used on no more than 57 occasions in Scottish prisons in 1982. The actual figure is likely to have been slightly lower. The prisoners who received the drug were all in acute distress and suffering from hallucinations or withdrawal symptons. On every occasion, the Medical Officer administering the drug was satisfied that its use was fully justified and that it was the most appropriate drug to use in the circumstances.