§ Mr. Walker-SmithI beg to move, in page 38, line 7, at the end to insert:
and(e) for enabling the functions under this Part of this Act of the nearest relative of a patient to be performed, in such circumstances and subject to such conditions (if any) as may be prescribed by the regulations, by any person authorised in that behalf by that relative".303 This is one of the "nearest relative" series of Amendments. It gives the Minister power to make regulations to allow the patient's nearest relative, as defined in the amended Clause 49, as it were, to abdicate in favour of some other person. We had some discussion on this in the Standing Committee. The effect of this Amendment would be to allow the appointment of a person nearer in affection to the patient in those cases, which are certainly by no means impossible, where the relative who is nearest in consanguinity, though not in point of affection, is willing for the change to be made.
§ Amendment agreed to.