HC Deb 17 December 1992 vol 216 cc450-1W
Mr. McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what inquiries were made before Dr. Kypros Loucas began to work at Wormwood Scrubs; what these inquiries revealed; and what account was taken of the inquiries in considering whether to appoint Dr. Loucas to work connected to prisoners with severe mental disorders.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to review the employment of Dr. Kypros Loucas in the prison medical service at Wormwood Scrubs;

(2) what plans he has to investigate the circumstances in which Dr. Kypros Loucas was appointed to his present part-time post at Wormwood Scrubs; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Soley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if his Department will continue to employ the services of Dr. K. Loucas as a visiting psychiatrist at Her Majesty's prison, Wormwood Scrubs;

(2) if he will make a statement on the employment of Dr. Kypros Loucas at Wormwood Scrubs prison.

(3) when his Department first became aware of the concern expressed by the Mental Health Act Commission on Dr. Kypros Loucas; and if he will make a statement on Dr. Loucas' continued employment at Wormwood Scrubs prison.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Dr. Kypros Loucas was appointed by open competition following an advertisement in theBritish Medical Journal inviting applications from fully registered medical practitioners of consultant status. Two professional references were offered and followed up. These provided no contra-indications to his appointment and an appointment as a visiting consultant psychiatrist was offered on 28 June 1990.

The appointment requires Dr. Loucas's attendance for two sessions per week at Wormwood Scrubs. As visiting consultant he does not have sole charge of patients and acts as psychiatric adviser to, and under the direction of, the full-time senior medical officer.

The Prison Service was not aware of the concern expressed by the Mental Health Act Commission until shortly before the broadcast of the "Cutting Edge" television programme on 7 December.

In his own interests, Dr. Loucas has been advised not to visit the prison until the allegations contained in the programme have been investigated.