Baroness Merron (Lab)

I thank the noble Lord, Lord Kamall, for tabling these amendments. They seek to amend Section 2 of the Mental Health Act, which relates to admission for assessment, and Section 3, which relates to admission for treatment, as well as Section 5(4), which relates to detention for six hours pending application admission. I emphasise that the police do not currently have the ability to detain under Sections 2, 3 and 5 of the Act. These amendments, as the noble Lord has referred to and as we discussed earlier, would give police additional powers, where they currently do not have powers to intervene. The noble Lord will be aware, and he mentioned the fact, that we do not support extending police powers in this way, and we understand that the police do not support an extension either. I am very happy to continue discussion with the office of the noble Baroness, Lady May, as I have done previously. I know that my noble friend Lord Davies would also welcome a discussion, which I am very happy to commit to. The noble Lord asked for amendments on Third Reading, but such amendments are to clarify any remaining uncertainties, to improve drafting and to enable the Government to fulfil undertakings given at earlier stages of the Bill. I am sure the noble Lord will understand that amendments are therefore restricted to technical points. For all those reasons, I cannot give the agreement that he sought on an amendment at Third Reading, as it is not within scope to do so. With regards to the ambition to reduce police attendance at mental health incidents, we recognise the pressures that police are facing, which noble Lords have highlighted, and agree that, in many cases, it is far preferable for those in mental health crisis to be responded to by health and care professionals. However, action is already under way to address this. Almost all police forces in England and Wales are implementing the “right care, right person” approach—a police-led initiative to reduce inappropriate police involvement in cases where people have health or social care needs. There has already been a 10% decrease in Section 136 detentions last year. We are taking steps to improve mental health services to avoid people reaching a crisis where police involvement may be required in the first place, which is a far more preferable position to be in. That includes through the Government’s commitment of £26 million of capital investment to open new mental health crisis centres, which are far more suitable environments for those in mental health crisis to receive care and treatment. Therefore, extending these legal powers currently held by the police to other professionals would represent a major shift in roles and responsibilities for health and care professionals. It would place significant additional pressures on the NHS and potentially lead to staff, patient and public safety issues which mental health and urgent and emergency care leads have already raised significant concerns about. It is for all these reasons that I ask the noble Lord, Lord Kamall, to withdraw his amendment.