HC Deb 30 July 1936 vol 315 cc1703-4
24. Mr. COMPTON

asked the Home Secretary the number of young persons sent to approved schools by the Manchester City Justices for the 12 months to the last convenient date and the periods of waiting between conviction and their actual entry into the school?

Sir J. SIMON

Eighty-eight boys and girls were ordered to be sent to approved schools by the Manchester City Justices in the 12 months ended 25th July. Forty-one of these were admitted to schools within a fortnight and 32 more within four weeks of being dealt with by the Court. With one exception, the 15 remaining were admitted in less than two months.

Mr. COMPTON

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it is an excessive time to keep young people under such conditions?

Sir J. SIMON

I agree that the conditions are not ideal, but I hope that new premises will be available shortly.

Mr. EDE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how the Department is getting on in persuading local authorities to open more of these approved schools?

Sir J. SIMON

I cannot give a very helpful answer to that question, but I can assure the hon. Member that it is a matter which is receiving attention.

25. Mr. COMPTON

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received representations as to the poor and inadequate accommodation for juveniles on remand from the Manchester City Police Court: and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

Sir J. SIMON

No representations have been received since July, 1935, but since that date a number of conferences have been held at Manchester with a view to the establishment of a regional remand home to serve Manchester and the surrounding local authority areas. Nearly all the local authorities concerned have now agreed to participate, and it is hoped that the new premises will shortly be available.