Sir: I am a little surprised by Professor Sugarman's letter, as my editorial does not condemn, categorically or otherwise, the detention of people who are competent but mentally ill. Furthermore, I am not aware (I accept this may be my ignorance) of any country having a law which permits treatment of, to use Professor Sugarman's example, infectious diseases, in the face of capacitous refusal (my editorial refers, at this point, to treatment rather than detention). It is certainly not permitted in England and Wales.