§ The Lord President of the Council (Viscount Whitelaw)My Lords, I beg to move the Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper. The purpose of this Motion is to invite the Committee for Privileges to clarify an apparent conflict between the privilege of this House and certain statutory provisions which has recently been the subject of judicial comment. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Committee for Privileges consider the effect on the privilege of freedom from arrest referred to in Standing Order 77, and on the privilege of peerage, of the powers under the Mental Health legislation to detain persons suffering from mental disorder; and recommend whether any action should be taken to clarify or amend the law.—(Viscount Whitelaw.)
§ Lord Cledwyn of PenrhosMy Lords, I believe that this matter needs to be clarified and I fully support the noble Viscount's Motion.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.