HC Deb 22 July 1976 vol 915 cc1992-3
9. Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with progress in phasing out the remand of schoolgirls to prison.

Mr. John

The Government attach great importance to phasing out the remand of girls under the age of 17 to prison. With a view to ending the remand of 14-year-old girls to prison service establishments, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services is engaged in urgent consultations with the local authority associations, in particular on the ability of the community homes system to contain the small number of very violent girls of this age. We are also in consultation with the authorities concerned over the conditions to be prescribed in Regulations under Section 69 of the Children Act 1975 for the issue of certificates of unruliness.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

My right hon. Friend's action in ending the remand of girls of 14 to prison is greatly appreciated. Is my hon. Friend aware, however, that there are at present three boys and three girls aged 15 in local prisons and over 132 schoolboys and girls in remand centres? In spite of the very welcome action by my right hon. Friend, further progress is urgently needed so that we may end the remand of all schoolchildren to prison service establishments.

Mr. John

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his recognition of acceptance of the principle involved. However, the provision of the necessary alternative places in community homes is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services.

Mr. R. C. Mitchell

Is my hon. Friend aware that because of the lack of facilities magistrates often have difficulty in finding places for young boys and girls who need temporarily to be kept in custody? Is he looking at the problem generally as well as at the particular question of schoolgirls?

Mr. John

Yes; I am well aware of what my hon. Friend has said. We are proceeding with a programme which will increase the number of secure places in observation and assessment centres. That will materially help, particularly in securing accommodation for girls.