The long-delayed draft Mental Health Bill will be published for pre-legislative scrutiny before parliament breaks for summer recess next month, Community Care has learned.

A revised version of the bill, which first appeared in 2002 creating a storm of protest within the mental health field, will still contain controversial - albeit redefined - measures for compulsory treatment orders.

Leading mental health charities such as Mind condemned proposals to treat people in the community. They argued that, if forced to take medication, people would be reluctant to seek help.

Measures to deal with people diagnosed with untreatable personality disorders will also remain. However, they too will be redefined, although it is not yet known how.

The draft bill will finish its time in committee before the end of the parliamentary session, allowing for the resulting bill to be included in the Queen's speech.