§ Ms Oona KingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received from mental health users regarding the proposed introduction of compulsory treatment orders in the community. [125938]
§ Mr. HuttonOur proposals to extend compulsory powers under the Mental Health Act beyond hospital settings formed part of our Green Paper "Reform of the Mental Health Act 1983". Consultation on this Green Paper ended on 31 March. We have received over 1,000 responses to this consultation from a wide range of people, including mental health users. Among these was a representation from the Mental Health Alliance, an umbrella group for a variety of organisations, which I received at their recent lobby of Parliament. We are now considering them carefully. I will make an announcement on how we will take this forward in the near future.