§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy towards the administration of electro-convulsive therapy without the consent of the patient, and in particular towards the administration of electro-convulsive therapy to patients under the age of 18 years without their consent, albeit with the consent of parent or guardian.
§ Mr. MoyleI would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, West (Mr. Price) on 21st January 1976.—[Vol. 903, c.511–12.] The question of consent to treatment of psychiatric patients was discussed in the recently published Consultative Document, "A Review of the Mental Health Act 1959", on which we are receiving comments.