§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what account is being taken in the Draft Mental Incapacity Bill of measures to improve support for people with learning disabilities requiring help to reach decisions affecting their future health needs. [144958]
§ Mr. LeslieThe Draft Mental Incapacity Bill will greatly improve decision making for people with learning disabilities by setting out the key principles that everyone must be assumed to have capacity and that 'all practicable steps' must be taken to help people make their own decisions. This will provide empowerment for people with learning difficulties in all decision making.
§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what his plans are for the draft Bill on mental incapacity; and what his policy is on the timing of that draft Bill in relation to the revised Mental Health Bill. [142111]
§ Mr. LeslieA draft Mental Incapacity Bill was scrutinised by a Joint Committee during the summer and their report was published on 28 November. My Department is working together with the Department of Health and stakeholders to consider the Committee's recommendations. We will seek to introduce the Bill in the current session of Parliament. With regard to the revised Mental Health Bill, there is no relationship between the timings of the two Bills, but I am aware that the Mental Health Bill will be subject to pre-legislative scrutiny early next week. My Department continues to work closely with the Department of Health to ensure that the proposals are consistent with each other.