§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the consultative papers on the Butler committee's recommendations are to be published.
§ Mr. MoyleA number of recommendations of the Butler committee on mentally abnormal offenders are discussed in the recent White Paper, "Review of the Mental Health Act 1959 ", Cmnd. 7320. Paragraphs 5.59 to 5.66 of the White Paper discuss proposals in chapter 12 of the Butler report for new powers for the courts to remand to hospital. This was the subject of a detailed consultation paper sent to interested bodies in July 1978. I have now placed a copy in the Library of the House.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department issued two consultative papers in April 1978 on the Butler committee's recommendations concerning disability in relation to the trial and the special verdict. Copies were placed in the Library of the House.
I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department is considering whether to issue a consultative paper on the question of the powers of magistrates' courts to call for medical reports.