§ 9. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the number of hostel places available for prisoners on release; and what increase is estimated in these places during the next five years.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesOn 31st March, grant under the Home Office After-Care Hostels Grant Scheme was being paid to 81 hostels, providing 899 places. Grant 1554 has been approved in principle for an additional 16 hostels, providing 163 places. Applications from 7 hostels, providing 56 places, are under consideration. Present estimates are based on the assumption that an additional 200 places will be made available annually.
§ Mrs. ShortI thank my hon. Friend for that encouraging reply. Is this work being channelled mainly through the voluntary organisations which are carrying out such excellent work in after care, and has he any other ideas about expanding and extending this kind of provision, particularly for young offenders after serving sentence?
§ Mr. ReesThe answer to the first part of the question is 'Yes". On the second part of the question, we are looking at this matter constantly. I agree that when one has reviewed the situation there may be need for more accommodation of a different type, perhaps of the bed-sitter type, for example.