HC Deb 23 January 1964 vol 687 c1256
20. Mr. P. Browne

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for building remand homes for young persons in Devon; and if he will give the number of remand homes in the county at the present time.

Miss Pike

The provision of remand homes is the responsibility of county and county borough councils. The Devon County Council provides one remand home and Plymouth another.

Mr. Browne

But is my hon. Friend aware that at the moment this lack of places and of remand homes is causing great concern to magistrates in the county? Is there not something that my hon. Friend can do to encourage the county council to provide more remand homes for young people?

Miss Pike

We are not aware of an acute shortage of remand home places, but if my hon. Friend has any specific examples we shall be glad to look into them.

Miss Bacon

Is the hon. Lady aware that that is exactly what her right hon. Friend said during the passage of the Children and Young Persons Act, last year, and that we gave him ample evidence of a shortage of remand homes throughout the country? While we know that this is the responsibility of the local authority, may I ask whether sheis satisfied that the financial arrangements for building new remand homes as between the Home Department and the local authorities is satisfactory?

Miss Pike

As the hon. Lady knows, this situation tends to fluctuate from month to month. I agree about what was said during the passage of the Act. We believe that the financial arrangements are adequate, but of course we are watching the situation all the time.