HC Deb 04 July 1957 vol 572 cc1282-3
16. Mr. MacColl

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the persons awaiting admission to a Borstal Allocation Centre were under the age of 17 years when committed for sentence; and how many of these are detained in remand homes and how many in prison.

Mr. R. A. Butler

On a recent date, six boys who were under the age of 17 when committed for sentence and who were sentenced to borstal training were awaiting admission to a borstal allocation centre. All were detained in prison.

Mr. MacColl

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is a most unfortunate preliminary to the constructive training of Borstal that boys have to be kept in prison? In view of the shortage of places at allocation centres, will he press on with the supply of remand centres as he promised?

Mr. Butler

Yes, certainly, I want to press on with the provision of allocation centres, and I am glad to say that there has been a considerable reduction in the number detained in this way over the past month alone. I should like to make progress, and the pressure put upon me by the hon. Member is very welcome to me.

23. Mr. Stewart

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many boys are now at Wormwood Scrubs prison awaiting a period of Borstal training; and what is the average length of time that they have been there.

Mr. R. A. Butler

On 28th June, 1957, there were 295 boys in the Borstal reception centre at Wormwood Scrubs. The process of allocation lasts from six to eight weeks. At present, owing to the shortage of vacancies in the training Borstals caused by the increase in committals to Borstal, the average time spent in awaiting transfer after allocation is 22 days.

Mr. Stewart

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the time spent at Wormwood Scrubs awaiting Borstal training affects the period for which a boy may be lawfully detained at Borstal thereafter?

Mr. Butler

I should like to have notice of that. Hon. Members will be glad to hear that we have been trying to locate this centre elsewhere, and we have found suitable alternative premises which we propose to acquire if we receive planning permission. We hope that that will help to get over the difficulty.