§ 24. Mr. Edmund Harveyasked the Home Secretary what progress has been made in the provision of additional re- 720 mand homes by local authorities since he urged this course upon them; and whether in view of the continued pressure upon existing accommodation, he will consider the establishment of further remand homes under the control of his Department which would be available later in carrying out the penal reforms of the Department which were interrupted by the war?
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThe schemes already approved or under consideration by local authorities will provide about 600 more places in remand homes. There are still some parts of the country where the response has not been satisfactory; and I will continue to urge on the authorities concerned the need for carrying out their statutory duty. I have no power to act on the suggestion made in the latter part of my hon. Friend's Question.
§ Mr. SorensenIs my right hon. Friend aware that at the present time large numbers of young girls are being put in prison rather than in remand homes, and that as a result a very considerable agitation is springing up among probation officers?
§ Mr. MorrisonI do not think the number is large. I agree there are certain difficulties, and I shall do my best to meet them so far as war-lime conditions allow.
§ Mr. SorensenWould it not be better to deal with the position by making grants available for the erection of these homes?
§ Mr. MorrisonThe proposals we have made to the local authorities would carry grants with them.