§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultation his Department undertook before publishing the draft Mental Health Bill. [82703]
§ Jacqui SmithThe proposals in the draft Mental Health Bill have been the subject of a long process of consultation by the Government, starting with the Green Paper "Reform of the Mental Health Act 1983" published in November 1999. Since then there have been informal discussions with key stakeholders and letters have been received, for example following the publication of the White Paper "Reforming the Mental Health Act" published in December 2000.
§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has assessed the work of the Mental Health Institute. [81506]
§ Jacqui SmithAlthough the National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE) is only in the first year of its establishment, there are plans in place and funds set aside to commission an evaluation of NIMHE's activities, in collaboration with the research & development Directorate at the Department. It is anticipated that the work will be commissioned in 2003.