HC Deb 18 July 1994 vol 247 c19W
Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to introduce legislation to reform the Mental Health Act 1983.

Mr. Bowis

We have been consulting on the need to amend section 18 of the Act relating to the return to hospital of detained patients who are absent without leave. We have also put forward proposals to amend the Act on extended leave and supervised discharge and will do so when parliamentary time permits.