Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what representations his Department has received from (a) members of the public and (b) civil society groups on Government policy in relation to mental capacity and deprivation of liberty measures.

The Department has received representations from both individuals and civil society groups in relation to mental capacity and deprivation of liberty during the passage of the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Bill through Parliament.

The Mental Capacity (Amendment) Bill has almost completed its Parliamentary process. The Bill replaces the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards with the Liberty Protection Safeguards. The new system will be simpler and more streamlined and efficient, improving protections for vulnerable people. The Department engaged with the third-sector, health and social care organisations, user-led groups and individuals, including those with learning disabilities and dementia during the Bill’s development and passage through the House and is continuing to engage with the sector to develop the statutory Code of Practice.