§ The Earl of Longfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many residential psychiatric places are available for offenders in England and Wales; and
How many (a) special hospital, (b) regional secure unit places are currently available for offenders in England and Wales; and
What is the weekly cost of a place in (a) special hospital (h) regional secure unit in England and Wales.
§ Baroness HooperIn June 1989 (the most recent date for which information is available) there were 660 places in regional secure units, including interim facilities, in England. All units are able to take mentally disordered offenders where, in an individual case, a placement is judged to be clinically appropriate. A small number of mentally disordered offenders is also accommodated in other NHS units not specifically designated for this purpose.
Information about the weekly cost of a regional secure unit place is not available centrally. So far as information relating to the special hospitals is concerned, these are matters for the Special Hospitals Service Authority, which is responsible for the operational management of the special hospitals. I suggest the noble Earl contacts Dr. Edmond, the chairman of the authority, for details.