Sir Charles Walker calls for a mental health Bill in the next Parliament and, specifically, for the Government to respond to the Joint Committee on the Draft Mental Health Bill’s recommendation about how people, during a period of wellness, could set out how they wish to be treated during a period of illness.
Sir Charles Walker (Broxbourne) (Con)
The Joint Committee on the Draft Mental Health Bill reported back in January this year. One of the most important recommendations we made was about how people, during a period of wellness, could set out how they wish to be treated during a period of illness. The Government have yet to respond to the Joint Committee, but can we have a mental health Bill in the forthcoming King’s Speech, please?
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Maria Caulfield)
I thank my hon. Friend for raising that issue. There were many recommendations during pre-legislative scrutiny. We are working through those and we hope to be able to respond fully shortly after the summer recess.