HC Deb 08 February 1979 vol 962 c258W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why it has taken so long to respond to the Butler committee recommendations of 1975 that magistrates' courts should have power to call for medical reports.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Part of this recommendation is closely associated with the proposals to extend to magistrates' courts the powers to find a defendant not guilty on evidence of mental disorder or under disability in relation to trial. The Home Office issued consultative papers on these two subjects in April 1978 and the comments made on them are being considered. When I have reached a view on these matters I shall be in a position to decide whether it would be useful to issue a consultative paper on the power to call for medical reports.