§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he now expects the regional secure unit programme to he completed; and which health authorities have not yet opened a purpose-built secure unit.
§ Mrs. CurrieEleven of the 14 regional health authorities now have permanent regional secure units (RSUs) in operation. Permanent RSUs can either be purpose-built or adaptations of existing hospital facilities.
Of the remaining three regions, a permanent RSU at Rubery hill hospital, Birmingham (west midlands) is scheduled to open this year. A permanent unit in the Oxford region is also expected to open at Borocourt hospital in 1987. A further two permanent RSUs are being planned in the Oxford region. South-West Thames region is planning a permanent RSU at Netherne hospital, which will function in association with several "close supervision" units already operating in existing hospitals.
264WIn addition, the North-East Thames region has plans to provide two further pemanent RSUs to complement the one already in operation at Runwell hospital, Southend. A second permanent RSU in South-Western region is due to be completed at Glenside hospital, Bristol, in 1988.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the role proposed for non-regional secure unit facilities in the psychiatric assessment of offenders, referred to in the Government response to recommendation 25 of the third report from the Social Services Committee, Session 1985–86, indicating which other facilities it is intended to utilise.
§ Mrs. CurrieI shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.