HC Deb 30 April 1953 vol 514 cc2330-1
24. Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Milton House Remand Home has now been reopened; to which homes girls under 14 years of age, who have been sent to remand homes by London courts, have been sent; and which of these homes have also taken senior girls.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

Because of staffing difficulties, the Croydon County Borough Council have not yet been able to re-open Milton House Remand Home. During its temporary closure, girls under 14 years of age remanded by courts in the London area have been sent to remand homes at Ealing, Chelmsford and Winchester. All these homes accommodate senior girls also.

Mr. Janner

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman do all he possibly can to ensure that the home is re-opened speedily, and also that there is sufficient accommodation for girls under the age of 14? Is he aware that the juvenile magistrates are very deeply concerned about sending the girls to schools where there are senior girls, and also about sending them out of London? Will he do something about it fairly rapidly?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

It is the intention of the borough council to re-open Milton House Remand Home as soon as suitable staff can be engaged, and I shall do everything I can to help. On the other point, as the hon. Gentleman knows, it is not practicable in all places to have separate homes, but arrangements are made as far as is practicable for the separation of the younger from the older girls. Also, it is the practice to separate any child likely to exercise a bad influence over others.

Mr. MacColl

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the answer which he has just given is practically the same as one that he gave several weeks ago? Is it not astonishing that in the whole of Greater London there is not a single remand home with adequate accommodation for girls under 14?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I would not concede that the Ealing Home had not adequate accommodation, but I am very anxious that the home mentioned in my answer shall be re-opened, and I shall bear in mind the implied rebuke in the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question.

Mr. Hastings

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise how undesirable it is to mix young girls and older girls in such homes, that the best attempts at separation can never be successful and that the younger children are apt to admire and imitate the older ones?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I agree that there is much in that point, but, still, it is useful to make clear that every attempt at separation is made.