Written question asked by David Drew (Labour) on Monday, 15 December 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 December 2003. It was answered by Chris Leslie (Labour) on Thursday, 18 December 2003 on behalf of the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Dept for Constitutional Affairs

Question: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, what account is being taken in the Draft Mental Incapacity Bill of measures to improve support for people with learning disabilities requiring help to reach decisions affecting their future health needs.

Answer: Mr. Drew: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what account is being taken in the Draft Mental Incapacity Bill of measures to improve support for people with learning disabilities requiring help to reach decisions affecting their future health needs. [144958] Mr. Leslie: The Draft Mental Incapacity Bill will greatly improve decision making for people with learning disabilities by setting out the key principles that everyone must be assumed to have capacity and that `all practicable steps' must be taken to help people make their own decisions. This will provide empowerment for people with learning difficulties in all decision making.

Secondary information