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Mental Health Bill [Lords]

That is a very long question and I do not think I can remember every aspect of it, but I shall try very hard. Of course, CTOs will be applied only to people who have been in hospital, but how long will the orders last? If 32,000 people are seen in hospital over a year, how many will be subject to CTOs and for how long? Will the orders last six months, a year, two years or three years, or will they be indefinite—almost life sentences? The hon. Lady makes an important observation, but I do not think I am being hostile in arguing my concerns. I am raising legitimate questions to which mental health professionals have the right to an answer. Many of the people who would be subject to a CTO will be known to the mental health services, but we are not talking about business as usual; CTOs will introduce a whole new regime and a whole new system for dealing with people, and they will require a whole new set of skills.