HC Deb 17 December 1998 vol 322 c741W
Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about the length of delays for transferring individuals from young offenders institutions who have been assessed as requiring psychiatric assistance; and if he will make a statement. [63675]

Mr. George Howarth

I am not aware of any representations. Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons has, in his Inspection Reports, drawn attention to problems about the availability of hospital places for prisoners needing that level of psychiatric care. The Government's plans for addressing these problems are set out in the Department of Health White Paper "Modernising Mental Health Services—Safe, fair and supportive".