There is a point that has arisen recently with which it may be necessary to deal.
Mental Treatment Bill, 1953.—First Stage.
Leave granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend and extend the Mental Treatment Act, 1945— (Minister for Health.)
That is so, because of the recent court decision.
Since that another point has arisen and that may mean that we will want to have some discussion on the matter.
I understand that there is an agreement made, and that agreement stands, in order to facilitate the arrangements made in relation to this difficulty which has arisen; but there are certain aspects of this legislation which may give rise to serious question in the minds of some of us and which will require clarification. It is not proposed to raise the matter at this stage, as we otherwise might do, but it is a matter of serious importance.
As it is essential that this Bill should be enacted before the Christmas adjournment it might facilitate its passage if some intimation of the relative matter was given to the Minister for Health this afternoon.
That will be done.
Ordered: That the next Stage be taken on to-morrow, 16th December, 1953.