The Royal College of Psychiatrists welcomes this opportunity to give evidence to the Committee and notes its terms of reference:

(A) to consider to what extent and on what criteria the law should recognize mental disorder or abnormality in a person accused of a criminal offence as a factor affecting his liability to be tried or convicted and his disposal;

(B) to consider what, if any, changes are necessary in the powers, procedure and facilities relating to the provision of appropriate treatment, in prison, hospital or the community, for offenders suffering from mental disorder or abnormality, and to their discharge and after-care; and to make recommendations.