HC Deb 27 January 1959 vol 598 cc871-3
26 Mr. Hannan

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many approved voluntary probation homes and hostels there are in Scotland for girls and boys, respectively;

(2) how many voluntary homes, excluding approved schools, are registered under Section 29 of the Children Act, 1948; and when he will introduce regulations governing the administration, supervision and discipline in such homes;

(3) if he will undertake to review the registers of all voluntary homes under the Children's Act, and voluntary probation homes and hostels approved under the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act, 1949, so as to ensure that they have under their care only those cases appropriate to the purposes for which they have been approved.

Mr. N. Macpherson

I shall, with permission, answer this Question and Questions Nos. 27 and 37 together.

Mr. Hannan

On a point of order. The Joint Under-Secretary has asked permission to answer three Questions together. I think I am in order in asking that these Questions should be answered separately.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member ought to hear the Answer to the combined Questions first, and then, if he is dissatisfied with it, perhaps he will have an opportunity of asking a supplementary question.

Mr. Macpherson

The Answer is as follows. 132 voluntary homes in Scotland are registered under Section 29 of the Children Act, 1948. Of these homes, 12 for girls and one for boys have been approved for the reception of probationers, and no other home or hostel has been approved for this purpose. My right hon. Friend hopes shortly to make regulations for the conduct of voluntary homes, but he has no power to determine that a voluntary home should receive only a particular category of child or young person.

Mr. Hannan

Is the Minister aware that these Questions arise out of incidents which took place in such a home in my constituency? First, may I ask the hon. Gentleman, since there is only one such home for boys in Scotland, whether he is satisfied that that meets the need? Secondly, how often do his officers visit this home annually? Thirdly, since there is a danger in young people, charged with offences of varying degree or with none, being housed together in such homes, will he look upon the introduction of these regulations as a matter of the greatest urgency?

Mr. Macpherson

In reply to the first question, it has been thought preferable not to segregate offenders put on probation with a condition of residence but to train them in living with others of their own age. With regard to the question how often inspectors pay visits, that varies, but if the hon. Gentleman would like particulars, perhaps he will put that question down. As to the third question, if in a particular home the combination of people going there seems to be unwise, my right hon. Friend would have this represented to the management, as well as to any local authority which had placed children there. The regulations will be made as soon as possible.

Mr. Hannan

On the question of the urgency of these regulations, the hon. Gentleman will be aware that his right hon. Friend, in a letter to me dated 23rd October, said that such regulations would be introduced. In order to avoid the repetition of such incidents as these, and since the urgency of the matter is not denied by the Scottish Office, can the hon. Gentleman give me a clearer definition of "near future"? Can he put a date on it?

Mr. Macpherson

A draft of the regulations was sent three months ago to representative voluntary societies and the local authority associations, and the last reply was received only yesterday. The whole matter will be considered and the regulations laid without any undue delay.