HC Deb 03 December 2002 vol 395 c748W
28. Stephen Hesford

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in the production, formulation and presentation of a new Mental Health Bill. [82644]

Jacqui Smith

A draft Mental Health Bill and consultation document was published on 25 June 2002. The consultation exercise closed on 16 September and we are currently considering almost 2,000 replies. We intend to introduce a Bill as soon as parliamentary time allows.