§ 13. Mr. McENTEEasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the remand home at West Ham has recently been closed, and that there is now no remand home in the county of Essex; and what steps are being taken to provide suitable remand home accommodation at convenient centres within the Essex County Council area?
§ Sir H. SAMUELThe statement in the first part of the question is not correct so far as it relates to the needs of the eastern 1304 part of the county, since there are two remand homes (one for boys and one for girls) at Colchester. I am informed that, even though the county authorities and two other boroughs in Essex used the remand home in West Ham, the cost proved to be excessive owing to the small number of children to be accommodated. I understand that the authorities concerned are now using the remand home provided by the London County Council.
§ Mr. McENTEEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that children are now being sent there from far distant districts in East London, and have even been sent from Southend to Battersea; and, further, that quite young girls, because of lack of accommodation, are being sent to Wormwood Scrubs prison?
§ Sir H. SAMUELI was not aware of that last fact. With regard to the distance from which they have to be sent, I agree that it is inconvenient, but, on the other hand, the number of children received into this remand home was so small that the cost amounted to £4 per week per child.
§ Mr. McENTEEWill the right hon. Gentleman make further inquiries into the statement I have made with regard to girls?
§ Sir H. SAMUELYes, Sir.