(1)A magistrates' court having power to impose imprisonment on any person may instead of doing so order him to be detained for any period not exceeding 4 days in a place certified by the Secretary of State to be suitable for the purpose.
(2)The Secretary of State may certify under this section any police cells, bridewell or similar place provided by him and, on the application of any other police authority, any such place provided by that authority.
(3)A woman or girl shall not be detained in any such place except under the supervision of women.
Section 6(6) of the [1978 c. 30.] Interpretation Act 1978 (feminine includes masculine) does not apply for the purposes of this subsection.
(4)The Secretary of State may make regulations for the inspection of places certified by him under this section, for the treatment of persons detained in them and generally for the purpose of carrying this section into effect.
(5)Any expenses incurred in the maintenance of persons detained under this section shall be defrayed out of moneys provided by Parliament.
(6)In this section " maintenance " has the same meaning in relation to a person detained under this section as it has under section 53 of the [1952 c. 52.] Prison Act 1952 in relation to a prisoner.
(7)Subsection (2) above shall, in its application to the City of London, have effect as if for the references therein to the police authority there were substituted references to the Commissioner of Police for the City of London.