§ 10. Dr. Stuttafordasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offences have been committed by young people who have absconded while in remand homes in Norfolk in the last six months; and how this figure compares with the same period last year.
§ Mr. CarlisleI am informed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services that 10 young people committed one or more offences while absent without leave from the remand home in Norfolk during the six months ended 28th February 1973; the corresponding figure for the six months ended 29th February 1972 is one.
§ Dr. StuttafordDoes not my hon. and learned Friend agree that this is an alarming increase in the course of one year and that it would be very, very much greater if the general public pressed charges? Does not he further agree that although the people of Norfolk are kindly disposed towards these unfortunate people they feel that the time has come, in the interests of the police and local ratepayers, to insist that when people are remanded in custody they should be kept there?
§ Mr. CarlisleA tenfold increase, even if it is from a base figure of only one, is nevertheless a major increase. I share my hon. Friend's view that those who 1514 are committed on remand have been so committed because it is felt that they should not have bail, and that it is desirable that they should be kept there. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services is considering the adequacy of secure accommodation for people remanded in this way.