HC Deb 08 March 1951 vol 485 cc643-4
17. Mr. Kenneth Thompson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children, committed to the care of local authorities, are held in places of detention intended for delinquents; what is the average length of time for which they are so held; and what steps are proposed to correct the position.

Mr. Ede

On 1st March, 1951, 15 children committed to the care of local authorities were accommodated in remand homes with my authorisation given under Section 13 (6) of the Children Act, 1948. The normal length of stay of such children in remand homes is about six weeks. While I deprecate using remand homes for this purpose it is necessary to do so as an exceptional measure at present, but the need will disappear as more reception centres are provided under the Children Act.

Mr. Thompson

Is the Home Secretary aware that this is the cause of a great deal of disquiet among those who are concerned with the welfare of this very small number of children, who may be overlooked just because their numbers are small? Will he bear in mind that in six weeks in this sort of home these children can come to more harm than they would have come to in the place from which they were removed for care and protection?

Mr. Ede

I am very concerned about this matter. I was concerned about it before I held this Office, when I had to deal with it on occasions as an administrator. I am hoping that the new powers given to local authorities and myself under the Children Act, 1948, will be used to reduce this number still further, but I am afraid that even then there may, in some exceptional cases, be a necessity for one or two children to be temporarily detained in such places.

Earl Winterton

On a point of order. Would it be in order, Sir, to point out that there are 123 Oral Questions on the Order Paper today and that in 25 minutes we have got through only 17 owing to the very lengthy answers?

Mr. Speaker

I am obliged to the noble Lord. I always do my best, but it is very hard. If we had fewer supplementary questions we should get on quicker.

20. Mr. Somerville Hastings

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that local authorities, who have had the care of children up to the age of 18 committed to them, find themselves in difficulty when such children leave school and secure employment in distant areas, by reason of the refusal of the children's officers of such areas to take any part in the supervision of these children; and what action he proposes to take.

Mr. Ede

No, Sir. But if my hon. Friend will send me information about any cases he has in mind I will look into them.