§ Sir R. Russellasked the Attorney-General what patients, other than those in mental hospitals, had their houses sold by order of the Court of Protection in 1972; and for what reasons.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI regret that it is not practicable to break down the figure of total sales given in my answer of 5th February so as to provide the further information for which my hon. Friend asks but I understand that in a majority of cases in which the question of sale of a patient's house is brought to the court for decision, the patient is either in a mental hospital or some other residential institution.—[Vol. 850, c.11.]
§ Sir R. Russellasked the Attorney-General what is the procedure by which the Court of Protection decides whether to make orders for the sale of houses belonging to patients in mental hospitals; and what are the criteria governing its selection.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe sale of a house is normally considered when a patient's affairs first come under the protection of the court or subsequently on the application of the receiver. An order will be made if it is needed for the good management of the patient's affairs and if the court is satisfied that the patient is unlikely to be able to reoccupy the house. The court always has regard, so far as possible, to the patient's feelings.