§ Mr. Berminghamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, what measures the Mental Health Act 79W Commission is taking to investigate the high number of black people admitted as involuntary patients under the Mental Health Act.
§ Mr. WhitneyNo such measures are being taken. A person may be detained under the provisions of the Mental Health Act only if he or she is seriously mentally disordered. The circumstances in which a person may be compulsorily detained and the persons with power to decide on detention are set out in the Act.