ABSTRACT
While the Secretary of State (Home Department) was ultimately accountable under the legislative mandate of the Mental Health Act 1983, it was the civil servants of the Mental Health Unit who exercised authority over cases on a daily basis. The executive placed a high level of confidence in the operations of the Mental Health Unit. Unless a matter had been raised directly with a minister, for instance by a constituent, they became involved only in matters on request or advice from the Unit.
