LEGAL PROTECTION FOR THE VULNERABLE

Early day motion 540, tabled 16 January 2003 by James Plaskitt (Labour). Signed by 35 members.

That this House notes that there is no comprehensive legal framework for England, Wales and Northern Ireland on mental capacity leaving it unclear who has the legal right to take day to day welfare, healthcare or financial decisions on behalf of people who lack the capacity to make decisions independently, such as people with a learning disability, dementia or mental health problems; welcomes the Scottish Executive's efforts in addressing these serious problems affecting 100,000 of its citizens by passing legislation in 2000 similar to the proposals in 'Making Decisions'; Helping People Who Have Difficulty Deciding for Themselves'; and calls on the Government to introduce new mental capacity legislation as a matter of urgency further to protect and empower potentially vulnerable sections of society.

Signatures by party: Labour 21, Liberal Democrat 8, DUP 2, UUP 2, Labour/Co-operative 1, Plaid Cymru 1.