Written question asked by David Mitchell (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 10 December 1996. It was answered by Simon Burns (Conservative) on Tuesday, 10 December 1996 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: If he will list the names of the Mental Health Tribunal and clinical team who assessed Douglas Byelong as fit to live in the community; and what assessment he has made of the current system for assessing whether patients detained on mental and criminal grounds should be released. - Includes ref to mental health review tribunal rules made by the Lord Chancellor (in Library).

Answer: Sir David Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the names of the mental health tribunal and clinical team who assessed Douglas Byelong as fit to live in the community; and what assessment he has made of the current system for assessing whether patients detained on mental and criminal grounds should be released. [7814] Mr. Burns: It is a statutory requirement that the names of persons concerned in tribunal proceedings should not be made public. The mental health review tribunals are independent judicial bodies and their procedures are defined in the mental health review tribunal rules made by the Lord Chancellor. Copies of the rules are available in the Library. The Department of Health has recently commissioned a research study into the decision making process of the tribunals.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 7814; 287 c151W
Session: 1996-97
Subjects: Disclosure of information Codes of practice Community care Discharges Hospitals Mental illness Mentally disordered offenders Mental health services Mental health Mental Health Review Tribunal