§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in the light of the recent House of Lords decision on sterilisation, he will reconsider his response to the recommendation of the Social Services Committee in its Second Report of Session 1984–85 on Community Care, HC 13-I, that his Department institute an independent expert review of law and practice on sexuality and contraception in relation to mentally disabled people.
§ Mr. NewtonI understand that the authors of the Standing Medical Advisory Committee's handbook of contraceptive practice are already considering for their next edition what guidance on contraception might be given to mentally disordered people. Before deciding whether any further action is appropriate, the Government think it right to allow time for public discussion of the implications of the recent House of Lords judgment, concerning the sterilisation of a young girl with a mental handicap.