§ Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which Edward Hopson was released from Broadmoor; what advance warning was given to the police in Ealing; and what steps were taken to reduce the scope for him committing offences against children of the type for which he had originally been committed to Broadmoor.
§ Mr. MellorMr. Hopson was conditionally discharged from Broadmoor hospital with the consent of the Home Secretary, under section 66(2) of the Mental Health Act 1959, in April 1982. Consent was given in the light of a recommendation for discharge from the responsible medical officer at Broadmoor and of reports from him and other staff there.
On discharge Mr. Hopson went to live in a hostel in Kensington. The Metropolitan police were notified so that they would be aware of his residence in their area. In March 1983 he moved to a council flat in Hanwell. The police would normally be informed of such a move; it is not clear from Home Office records that they were informed on this occasion, and we are checking on this.
Before being conditionally discharged, arrangements were made for Mr. Hopson to be supervised by a consultant psychiatrist from Broadmoor and by a probation officer, and for both of them to send regular reports to the Home Office, so that Mr. Hopson's progress in the community could be kept under review.