Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2005

If I am not mistaken, this is by far the most complicated of the measures that we have had before us today, and I thank the Minister for laying out how it will apply and explaining a bit more about the cross-border provisions. It is complex and detailed, and it was certainly subject to a significant debate in Holyrood. It affects some of the most vulnerable people in society. It would be helpful if the Minister could explain why, given that the parent legislation was passed over two years ago, it has only now become necessary to bring it up to date. Will the Minister summarise for the Committee whether the Government have identified any key differences in the treatment of people affected by the order between Scotland, Northern Ireland, England and Wales? The only other point that is of some interest to the Committee and to other people is under what conditions patients may be transferred from one part of the United Kingdom to another. Can, for example, Ministers act against the wishes of families or of the legal guardians of the patient?