Mary Henry (Independent)

This is a difficult issue because a person could possess a certificate and subsequently become ill. There is no way we can guard against that. In some well publicised cases it was well known locally that a person was suffering from a serious mental illness. In a small locality perhaps it is difficult for some to lodge objections against certain people who are known to be enthusiastic about gun clubs, hunting and so on. Would it not be more wise to have something specific in place?

The initiative to declare himself or herself in good mental health should come from the applicant, rather than the person issuing the certificate having to make a decision based, perhaps, on anecdotal evidence.