(1)  If an accused person, when called upon to plead to an indictment, stands mute or does not directly answer to the indictment and it appears to the judge that there is no reason to reserve the question of that person's fitness to stand trial for investigation under Part 2 of the Criminal Justice (Mental Impairment) Act 1999 , the judge may order a plea of not guilty to be entered on that person's behalf.

(2)  A plea endorsed under subsection (1) has the same effect as if it had been pleaded by the accused person.