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First Scottish Parliament Legislation receives Royal Assent
13/09/1999
The Mental Health (Public Safety and Appeals) (Scotland) Bill today received Royal Assent making it the first Act of the Scottish Parliament.
The Mental Health (Public Safety and Appeals) (Scotland) Act 1999 closes the loophole that was exposed by a judgement at Lanark Sheriff Court on August 2 in the case of Noel Ruddle.
The Deputy First Minister, Jim Wallace, responsible for taking the emergency legislation through the Parliament said:
"This is an historic occasion that also demonstrates very clearly the practical benefits of having our own Parliament.
"Forty-two days after the Ruddle judgement a new law is on the statute books that protects public safety. The speed with which the Executive and the Parliament have acted means that the Ruddle loophole has been closed before any other patients can exploit it."
News Release: SE0589/99
13 September, 1999