HC Deb 04 July 1986 vol 100 cc663-4W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and the chief constable of the West Midlands police as to the number of people who have been escorted to police custody for behaviour or offences warranting detention in a mental hospital or psychiatric institution under section 136 of the Mental Health Act; and what proportion of them were, after consultation in police custody with a psychiatrist or social worker (a) committed to one of the above establishments and (b) sent home.

Mr. Mellor

Statistics of persons detained by the police under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 are not maintained locally or centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. 1 would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for St Helens, South (Mr. Bermingham) on 19 May at c.13.