Written question asked by Nigel Evans (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 25 October 1996. It was answered by Lord Howard of Lympne (Conservative) on Friday, 25 October 1996 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: How many responses he has received commenting on the proposals set out in the consultation paper Mentally Disordered Offenders: Sentencing and Discharge Arrangements. - Includes figures.

Answer: Mr. Nigel Evans: To 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. Howard: We 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.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 955; 284 c13W
Session: 1996-97
Subjects: Mentally disordered offenders Mental health services Sentencing Secure accommodation Mentally Disordered Offenders Consultation Paper
Contains statistics: Yes