asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many secure accommodation units are needed to absorb the current level of mentally subnormal people now in prison in Northern Ireland.

There are at present only two people in prison in Northern Ireland whose mental state is considered to be such that they would more appropriately be held in secure hospital accommodation.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many hospitals will be having secure accommodation units built on to them in the next two years; and how many beds will be provided in Northern Ireland; (2) how many hospitals at present have secure accommodation units in Northern Ireland.

I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.