§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement concerning the operation of the Mental Health Act Commission since it was established.
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§ Mr. John PattenThe commission has been very active since it was formed in September 1983. Commissioners have made nearly 300 routine visits to hospitals with detained patients, and the commission has handled over 1,500 requests for second opinions on consent to treatment and about 400 complaints from detained patients. Members of the central policy committee and of the three regional groups have met regularly; and work has begun on preparing a draft of the code of practice on compulsory admissions and on the medical treatment of mental disorder. The commission is, of course, required to make a full report to the House at the end of its second year.