Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the Ministerial Council on Deaths in Custody last met; and whether it has has plans to consider the recommendations of the Independent Review of the Mental Health Act relating to deaths in custody.

The Ministerial Board last met on 27 February 2019, and the Independent Advisory Panel last met on 2 May 2019. The recommendations of the Independent Review of the Mental Health Act relating to deaths in custody are included on the Board’s work programme, and the Government welcomes views from the Council on them.

The Government will publish its response to the Independent Review in due course.