HC Deb 01 November 1956 vol 558 cc1612-3
44. Mr. Royle

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress is being made in the provision of remand centres as provided for by the Criminal Justice Act, 1948.

Mr. Deedes

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 25th October to the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Fenner Brockway).

Mr. Royle

May I in return refer the hon. Gentleman to the supplementary question on that day asked by my right hon. Friend the Member for Grimsby (Mr. Younger) in which he said that 3,000 young persons were remanded to prison in 1953 who ultimately were not sent to prison on conviction? Will not the hon. Gentleman make some provision in the next Session to meet this very urgent problem?

Mr. Deedes

My right hon. and gallant Friend's reply on that occasion answered very fully that question and others on this subject, and the hon. Member will know that my right hon. and gallant Friend is very anxious to do something.

Miss Herbison

Is it not the case that approved schools have been and are being closed? Would it not be better to use those approved schools rather than send young people to prison?

Mr. Deedes

I think that that raises a rather wider and different question.