§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many times local authorities have used their powers under section 43 of the National Assistance Act 1948 to assume responsibility for the care of adults who are unable to care for themselves as a result of profound handicap.
§ Mr. FreemanI assume that the right hon. Member is referring to section 47 of the Act. This information is not collected centrally.
§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many times profoundly mentally handicapped people have been sanctioned under the terms of the Mental Health Act in order to ensure their safety.
§ Mr. FreemanIn 1987–88 there were 186 admissions, under sections of the Mental Health Act 1983, of patients categorised as mentally impaired or severely mentally impaired. Information is not held centrally as to how many of these patients were admitted for their own safety, rather than the other reasons specified in the Act.