§ Mr. Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many patients at the State hospital, Carstairs are eligible for parole under the Mental Health Act 1983; how many applications have been received; how long the procedures are taking; whether other mental hospitals are raising objections to transfers; how many patients have been released to the community under parole so far; and how many have been transferred to low-risk mental hospitals.
§ Mr. John MacKayThere are no provisions relating to parole in the legislation under which patients may be detained at the State hospital, Carstairs. The arrangements for the transfer of patients to other mental hospitals, or their discharge to the community, are generally satisfactory, though particular problems occasionally arise which lead to delay in the transfer to another hospital of a patient who would otherwise be fit to leave the State hospital. The total number of patients moved out of the hospital in each of the years 1969 to 1983; the number transferred to other mental hospitals; the number discharged to the community; and the total hospital population at 31 December in each year were as follows:
Year Total movements out during year Number transferred to other mental hospitals Number discharged to the community Number of patients at 31 December 1969 42 31 8 367 1970 53 41 11 366 1971 47 35 9 380 1972 60 33 21 361 1973 69 41 24 335 1974 44 31 9 329 1975 45 33 5 334 1976 37 26 2 338 1977 46 35 5 321 1978 43 27 10 316 1979 39 25 9 305 1980 31 18 6 328 1981 59 34 15 310 1982 55 28 17 291 1983 74 37 19 268 In addition to the transfers and discharges listed a number of patients were returned to prison and there were a few deaths in each year.