§ Mr. Arthur Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the purpose for the use of compulsory treatment given to patients under Section 25 of the Mental Health Act which refers to compulsory detention for observation.
§ Mr. MoyleI am advised that a patient detained in hospital under Section 25 of the Mental Health Act may be given, without his consent, only such treatment as is either reasonably required as an aid to observation—that is, for the purpose of diagnosis and the determination of the nature of any future care and treatment that may be appropriate, or isimmediately necessary in the interests of the patient's own health or safety or with a view to the protection of other persons.