To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions took place with the (a) Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland (MWCS) and (b) Royal College of Psychiatrists prior to the proposal to merge MWCS, NHS Quality Improvement Scotland and the Care Commission.

The government’s scrutiny improvement work has consulted widely over the last year. Specific proposals for scrutiny improvement have emerged from that work and the changes proposed reflect those consultations. Further discussions with the stakeholders of the current and new health and mental welfare bodies will be undertaken as the legislative proposals are developed.