Care Bill [HL]

Baroness D'Souza Excerpts

Wednesday 16th October 2013 Lords Chamber

I have a whole batch of real case examples provided by Mind and others although, again, I will not share them with the House today. Given all these points and all the consultation that I have done, my preference would be for the Government to delete Clause 71 altogether. However, if a definition is to be introduced, it must retain a broad, flexible approach. Therefore, in the spirit of co-operation, which I know that the Minister always aims for, and in trying to reach a way forward, I propose Amendment 128A, which once again I urge the Government to consider seriously. I beg to move.

[The Lord Speaker]

I remind your Lordships that if this amendment is agreed, I cannot call Amendments 129 to 131 by reason of pre-emption.

[Baroness Masham of Ilton (CB)]

My Lords, it is vital that people with mental illness have adequate aftercare. I ask the noble Lord, Lord Patel of Bradford, if his Amendment 128A would cover such cases as the tragic case of the schoolgirl who was travelling by bus to school and was killed by a person who was mentally ill. There should be more protection for the public, who are at risk from mentally ill people who are let loose in the community without adequate aftercare and supervision. It is vital that people have aftercare, otherwise we will have more and more disasters.