To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will place in the Library the responses to the consultation paper “Draft Court Rules: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Court of Protection Rules” [CP 10/06]; and if she will make a statement. (89685)

On Monday 17 July 2006, the Government published the consultation paper, “Draft Court Rules: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Court of Protection Rules”. The consultation will end on 6 October 2006. The Government aim to publish their response to the consultation within three months of the end of the consultation in line with Cabinet Office guidelines. Copies of the response will at that time be placed in the House Libraries. In line with DCA policy, it is not our intention to publish individual responses.

Copies of the draft court rules consultation paper are available in English and Welsh.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many copies of the consultation paper “Draft Court Rules: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Court of Protection Rules” were distributed by her Department; how much was spent on producing the consultation paper; to whom copies were sent; and if she will make a statement. (89692)

In total 134 copies of the consultation paper, “Draft Court Rules: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Court of Protection Rules”, have been sent to stakeholders with an interest in the new court of protection rules including members of the legal profession. Some of these copies have been sent following requests received post-publication. We have publicised the consultation in our regular mental capacity newsletter and it can be downloaded from the DCA website. There are also internet links to the Department of Health and Public Guardianship Office websites.

The consultation paper has been produced and printed in-house so costs are not separately identifiable. The consultation period will run until 6 October 2006 and views are welcomed from anyone who would like to send in a response to the consultation.