§ 28. Mr. Doddsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the obvious difficulties involved to parents who live a considerable distance away in visiting boys who, under court orders, are receiving approved school training at The Royal Philanthropic Society's School, Redhill, other than at week-ends, why facilities are not available for them to visit on either Saturdays or Sundays; and, in view of the importance of such visits, whether he will take steps to ensure that the welfare of the boys in this respect receives the consideration expected from such schools.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Dennis Vosper)Visits by relatives to boys in the Royal Philanthropic Society's Training School at Redhill may be made on any week day or Sunday. While a boy is in the classifying school, where he spends a fortnight or so to enable his needs to be assessed and a suitable training school to be chosen for him, his parents are invited to visit him and discuss his future with the staff. To secure that adequate time may be given to this particular interview between parents and staff, parents are asked to visit where possible otherwise than at week-ends; but when they can only visit at weekends their wishes are met.
§ Mr. DoddsIf what the hon. Gentleman says is right, why is there printed on the form sent to parents, "It is most unlikely that we shall be able to arrange 1635 visits on Saturdays or Sundays"? Surely it must be obvious to the hon. Gentleman that parents assume that this means they cannot make visits on Saturdays or Sundays? In view of what he says, will he now arrange that these words will be removed from the form so that those parents who live a long way from the school will be able to go there on Saturdays and Sundays?
§ Mr. VosperI should like to see the form. I think it relates to the classifying school for the purpose of special interview, but most certainly I will arrange that parents of boys at this school may visit it on any day of the week.