To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the level of provision of medium secure psychiatric facilities in Wessex regional health authority; and whether there are any plans to develop them.

West Dorset health authority has been invited to co-ordinate the purchasing requirements of all the health authorities in Wessex for the provision of medium secure psychiatric facilities.A decision will be taken about the nature, location and size of future provision, taking into consideration the recommendations emerging from the current national review of services for mentally disordered offenders and others requiring similar services.