§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are usually made for prisoners held in custody on remand who are mentally disturbed to be diagnosed for psychiatric treatment; and if he will list in the Official Report the names of the hospitals and the number of beds available for this purpose in the Greater London area.
§ Mr. HurdEvery person received in prison after being remanded in custody is examined by a prison medical officer. Those whose psychiatric condition appears to require admission to hospital will also be examined by a second medical practitioner, since two recommendations are necessary for such admission. At present, it is not open to a court to remand an accused or convicted person to a hospital for a report; but section 35 of the Mental Health Act 1983 provides for this, and I hope that it will be possible to bring the provision into effect on 1 October 1984. The Department of Health and Social Security is at present consulting health authorities, and has asked them for an indication of the facilities which may be available in pursuance of section 35.