Written question asked by Tim Loughton (Conservative) on Wednesday, 26 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 December 2003. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Monday, 8 December 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he will publish the revised Mental Health Bill; whether the consultation responses to the draft Mental Health Bill will be published before the proposed pre-legislative scutiny committee on the bill is appointed; whether the proposed pre-legislative scrutiny committee on the Mental Health Bill will consider a revised version of the draft Mental Health Bill; what revisions he proposes to make to the draft Mental Health Bill. - (Holding answer 1 December 2003). (Responses to consultation in Library Dep 04/1586).

Answer: Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when he will publish the revised Mental Health Bill; [140987] (2) whether the consultation responses to the draft Mental Health Bill will be published before the proposed pre-legislative scrutiny committee on the bill is appointed; [140989] (3) whether the proposed pre-legislative scrutiny committee on the Mental Health Bill will consider a revised version of the draft Mental Health Bill; [140990] (4) what revisions he proposes to make to the draft Mental Health Bill. [140991] Ms Rosie Winterton :[holding answer 1 December 2003]: A revised and completed Mental Health Bill will be brought forward for pre-legislative scrutiny as soon as possible. We have been carefully considering the responses to consultation on the draft Bill that was published in June 2002, and further points raised in subsequent meetings with stakeholders. The Government's response to the consultation will be published prior to introduction of the Bill. It will be available in hard copy and on the Department's website. At that time, copies of responses to the draft Bill will be placed in the Library, except in cases where respondents have asked for confidentiality. The Government response will set out the changes that have been made to the Bill.

Secondary information