Member

Amendments 54A and 54B, tabled by the noble Lord, Lord Scriven, relate to the Secretary of State’s power under Clause 18 to set out in regulations the circumstances under which the requirement for a second opinion appointed doctor’s certification of urgent and compulsory electroconvulsive therapy may be dispensed with and seek to limit those circumstances. We have received a recommendation from the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee to limit the extent of the delegated power. I can assure the noble Lord that we are considering this recommendation carefully and will reflect closely on the views that he has brought before the Committee today. I aim to clarify the Government’s position on Report.