HC Deb 07 June 1962 vol 661 cc634-5
13. Miss Bacon

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive the report from his Advisory Committee on Training Centres.

Mr. Fletcher-Cooke

I understand that the Council's work on the report is not quite complete; but my right hon. Friend hopes to receive it in time for it to be published this autumn.

Miss Bacon

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that that is rather disappointing? Would not he agree that owing to the desperate shortage of residential accommodation for juvenile delinquents, particularly remand homes and approved schools, it would be a good thing if we could get these training centres so that children could live at home but still be under supervision?

Mr. Fletcher-Cooke

I have a great deal of sympathy for what the hon. Lady says but there is, in fact, a wide diversity of opinion among the penologists and other experts on this matter. It would be better to resolve what the experts, in their conflicts, have to say instead of giving a premature decision.