§ 28. Miss Baconasked the Secreary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that approved schools get 100 per cent. grant from the Government and remand homes only 50 per cent., if he will increase the amount payable in respect of remand homes.
§ Mr. VosperThe hon. Member is misinformed. The cost of approved schools, like that of remand homes, is shared equally between the Exchequer and local authorities.
§ Miss BaconBut is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in most cases the approved schools are run by voluntary organisations and local committees? Would he not agree that there is a desperate shortage of places in remand homes and that the Criminal Justices Bill will mean that more remand places will be needed than were needed before? Would the right hon. Gentleman therefore 1376 treat the provision of places in remand homes as a matter of great urgency?
§ Mr. VosperMy right hon. Friend certainly accepts the problem created by the insufficiency of remand home places. One must compare like with like and I was comparing remand homes with local authority approved schools, but even here there are negotiations going on to see whether any financial burden can be relieved for the local authorities.