§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will undertake research to establish whether the use by health authorities and NHS trusts of privately owned medium secure facilities for detained patients costs more than using equivalent provision in NHS units; [16785]
(2) if the increased number of purpose-built medium secure beds is expected to eliminate the need for the use of privately owned medium secure facilities. [16786]
§ Mr. BowisThe availability of medium secure places in the independent sector provides health authorities with a greater choice. Selection of suitable places is a matter for health authorities who are responsible for commissioning services in a way which makes the best use of available resources to meet the needs of their population.