---

Mental Health Bill [Lords]

As a member of the Joint Committee chaired by the hon. Gentleman, I have co-signed the amendment. I rise to assure him that, as someone who is clinically qualified, I think that he is on to a critical point. I am always in favour of extending doctors’ roles to other professions, but in relation to a loss of liberty for a long period, it is necessary to have the assurance that competence has been adequately assessed.