§ Mr. Moonmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the Government intend to publish the White Paper on the review of the Mental Health Act 1959; and what progress has been made on the review of the Mental Health Review Tribunal procedure.
§ Mr. EnnalsI regret that it will not be possible to publish the White Paper before the Summer Recess as I had hoped. It will now be published early in September.
The committee which has been considering the procedures of the mental health review tribunals which were established under the 1959 Act has now circulated to interested parties a discussion paper setting out its proposals. In the light of the comments received the Lord Chancellod will consider, in consultation with the other Departments represented on the committee, and with the Council of Tribunals, what changes should be made.