Written question asked by Tim Loughton (Conservative) on Monday, 10 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 19 November 2003. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Wednesday, 19 November 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the statement by the National Director of Mental Health on 31st July on the draft Mental Health Bill represents Government policy; whether he intends to make significant changes to the draft Bill before it is laid before Parliament; what assessment he has made of responses received during the consultation on the draft Bill; and what the timetable is for publishing the responses.

Answer: Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the statement by the National Director of Mental Health on 31 July on the draft Mental Health Bill represents Government policy; whether he intends to make significant changes to the draft Bill before it is laid before Parliament; what assessment he has made of responses received during the consultation on the draft Bill; and what the timetable is for publishing the responses. [138474] Ms Rosie Winterton: The National Director for Mental Health expressed his personal views to the Parliamentary Health Forum on 4 June 2003. The Government have considered carefully the need for changes to the draft Bill, following responses to consultation and on-going meetings with key stakeholders. Any changes to the draft Bill will be indicated when the Government publish their response to consultation prior to the introduction of the Bill to Parliament.

Secondary information