asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider making provision for the appointment of a guardian for a mentally handicapped patient where the parents are unable to exercise that function; and if he will make a statement.

There are powers under the Mental Health Act 1983 to place under guardianship mentally impaired people who have reached the age of 16, if it is necessary in their interests or for the protection of others. Mentally impaired children under 16 may, in appropriate circumstances, be received into the care of a local authority under Section 2 of the Child Care Act 1980 or placed in the care of a local authority under a care order if the criteria in Section 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969 are satisfied. A review of the law relating to children is currently under way and we will keep under review the need for any further measures in the interests of mentally handicapped adults.