§ 30. Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the Scottish Law Commission report on mentally incapacitated adults. [34200]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonAs my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 18 June,Official Report, column 409, careful consideration has been given to the Scottish Law Commission's report on incapable adults. The report raises a number of issues which are both important and sensitive, and proposes many changes in the law relating to legal procedures for looking after the property, financial affairs and personal welfare of mentally incapable adults. Whilst my right hon. Friend acknowledges the consultation which has already been carried out by the commission in coming to the conclusions it has reached, he also recognises that many people will have strong views on the proposals which the commission has made.
Consequently, he has decided that, before legislating on the basis of the commission's proposals, there should be further consultation. It is proposed to issue a consultation paper this summer.