asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he anticipates receiving from the Mental Health Act Commission the draft code of practice referred to in section 118 of the Mental Health Act 1983; for how long he intends to consult individuals and organisations about the draft code; and when he anticipates laying the draft code before Parliament.

I understand that it may be some weeks before the commission submits its draft. We have already received representations from professional organisations about the need for an adequate period of wider consultation before the code of practice is laid before Parliament.