Oral Answers to Questions

Simon Danczuk Excerpts

Tuesday 18th January 2011 Commons Chamber

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

As we can hear from the reaction on both sides of the House, my hon. Friend has highlighted a very important issue, concerning a provision that the Speaker’s Conference rightly identified should be repealed. It is simply not right that under section 141 of the Mental Health Act MPs lose their seats if they are detained in hospital under the Act for more than six months. We will shortly come forward with announcements to repeal section 141.

[Simon Danczuk (Rochdale) (Lab)]

Does the Deputy Prime Minister intend to propose Elwyn Watkins, his twice-failed candidate in Oldham East and Saddleworth, for the House of Lords?

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

I have not lent it any thought so far.