§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions he has consulted the Secretary of State for Health on the issue of mentally disordered offenders and mentally ill patients who are a potential threat to the community and themselves; and if he will make a statement. [61156]
§ Mr. George HowarthMy right hon. Friend and I discuss this matter regularly and our Departments have together been closely examining the opportunity for developing a new framework of law and management for both the mentally ill and those with personality disorders. This is a complex and difficult area, but we hope to make an announcement shortly.