HC Deb 21 December 2000 vol 360 c272W
Ms Rosie Winterton

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the response was to the April 2000 policy statement 'Making Changes: the Future of the Public Trust Office; and what action her Department is taking to put into effect its proposals. [144308]

Jane Kennedy

Following publication of the "Making Changes" policy statement on 11 April 2000, much work has been done to take forward its proposals. I have today placed in the Libraries of the House a summary and analysis of the responses received to "Making Changes". As proposed in "Making Changes", and informed by the response to consultation, the Lord Chancellor will create a new body which is to be called the Public Guardianship Office. It will discharge the Court of Protection's decisions on behalf of mentally incapacitated people, a role at present undertaken by the Public Trust Office. The new body is being explored as a candidate for agency status. It will be set demanding targets to provide a high quality service to its clients.