§ Mr. Dickensasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will initiate an urgent inquiry into the 74W original release of James Kay (alias Lang) a convicted child murderer, under licence from Park Lane mental institution, who was sentenced at Lancaster Crown court on 14 April to six years' imprisonment for two subsequent serious assaults; and if he will review the system by which such potentially dangerous patients are released.
§ Mr. WhitneyMr. Kay was discharged by a mental health review tribunal. The tribunals are independent bodies with a duty in cases such as these to order discharge of a patient detained in a mental hospital for treatment where they are satisfied that the patient is not suffering from mental disorder as defined by the Mental Health Act 1983. Tribunals dealing with restricted patients are presided over by a judge and include a medical and a lay member. The tribunal reached its conclusion having regard to substantial medical evidence from numerous sources that Mr. Kay was no longer suffering from mental disorder requiring him to be detained in hospital for treatment. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is considering whether there are any lessons to be learned from this case, including the subsequent conviction of Mr. Kay for serious criminal offences.