HC Deb 05 December 1989 vol 163 cc170-1W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the numbers of inmates of British gaols who were transferred to psychiatric units or mental hospitals in each of the past five years.

Mr. John Patten

Sentenced and unsentenced prisoners in England and Wales may be transferred to psychiatric hospitals for treatment under sections 47 and 48 of the Mental Health Act 1983 respectively. The numbers transferred to hospital under those provisions between 1984 and 1988 were as follows:

1984 1985 1986 1987 1988
s. 47 108 100 107 130 120
s. 48 47 41 53 77 85
Total 155 141 160 207 205