§ Mr. Nigel EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many responses he has received commenting on the proposals set out in the consultation paper "Mentally Disordered Offenders: Sentencing and Discharge Arrangements". [955]
§ Mr. HowardWe have received 182 responses to the consultation paper, many of which expressed the views of organisations rather than individuals.
One hundred and two respondents, 56 per cent., expressed support for the principle of the proposal to introduce a hospital direction disposal for mentally disordered offenders. Twenty-four of these wished the power to be available only to those diagnosed as suffering from psychopathic disorder.
The responses revealed strong support for the proposal to extend the maximum duration of the interim hospital order. There was broad support for our proposals in relation to discharge and subsequent supervision of mentally disordered offenders.
I have considered the responses carefully in finalising the detail of the proposals which are included in the Crime (Sentences) Bill, published today.
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