§ Mrs RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance is given by his Department to(a) the judiciary and (b) secure mental hospitals regarding the minimum length of time for which those convicted of manslaughter on the ground of diminished responsibility should be detained in a secure mental hospital. [23519]
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe law does not provide for the period of detention under a hospital order to be fixed in advance. A patient subject to such an order will be detained until this is judged to be no longer necessary on account of his health or safety or the safety of others. Where a hospital order is accompanied by a restriction order, the power of discharge by the responsible medical officer may be exercised only with the consent of my right hon. and learned Friend.