§ Mr. Berminghamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to extend the powers of mental health review tribunals contained in section 72(3) of the Mental Health Act 1983 to tribunals considering the application of patients detained under sections 37 to 41 of the same Act.
§ Mr. MellorMy right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to amend the law on this point. The lack of an express statutory power to recommend leave of absence or transfer in the case of a restricted patient need not prevent mental health review tribunals from making such recommendations where they consider it appropriate to do so.