§ Miss PikeI beg to move, in page 2, line 1, after second "time", to insert:
and at least once in every twelve months".The Amendment gives effect to an undertaking given in Standing Committee and will ensure that we have reports at least annually on arrangements being 217 made by local authorities to carry out their responsibilities under the Clause.
§ Miss BaconI thank the hon. Lady and the Home Secretary for the Amendment. As the hon. Lady has said, it is a response to our request in Committee. I feel all the more grateful because I think that the Amendment in Committee was the only one with my name on it which was accepted in principle during the whole of the Committee's proceedings, and it was accepted by the hon. Lady in the absence of her right hon. Friend.
We think it very important that we should have these reports annually. At first this we resisted. I remember that two or three years ago during proceedings on the Criminal Justice Act we asked for an annual statistical report on approved schools and remand homes. That we strongly resisted at first but we have just had the first annual report and it has proved tremendously valuable. I am certain that these annual reports from the local authorities to the Home Office will prove equally valuable.
§ Amendment agreed to.