§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the increase in police time to be spent dealing with mentally disordered people if compulsory treatment outside of hospital is introduced. [79682]
§ Mr. HuttonIt is not possible at present to estimate the implication for the police of introducing powers to treat mentally disordered people in the community. We are awaiting the report of the expert group appointed to consider the changes necessary to mental health legislation which has been asked to consider the issue of community assessment and treatment. There are various models of community treatment orders and their report will need to consider any role the police might have in their operation.
§ Mr. BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were conveyed to hospital in 1998(a) under a section of the Mental Health Act 1983 and (b) under a supervised discharge order. [79679]
§ Mr. Hutton24,079 people were conveyed to hospital in 1998 under a section of the Mental Health Act 1983. People conveyed to hospital under a supervised discharge order are admitted under section 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983 and are included in this figure.