HC Deb 06 April 1978 vol 947 cc609-10
1. Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many 14–16 year-old (a) boys, and (b) girls were (i) in local prisons and (ii) in remand centres at the latest available date.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Dr. Shirley Summer-skill)

On 28th February there were 15 boys aged 14 to 16 in local prisons and 337 in remand centres. The corresponding figures for girls were 8 and 10.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

Does my hon. Friend agree that although there has been a welcome decrease in the numbers on remand following the tightening up of the criteria for the issue of unruly certificates, it is totally unsatisfactory that there should be such remands of technically innocent children? Does she therefore accept that more pressure should be put on the Department of Health and Social Security to provide alternative resources? Does she agree that the best way of putting on such pressure is for her Department to take legislative action to make such remands illegal?

Dr. Summerskill

As my hon. Friend knows, the Government's policy outlined in the recent White Paper is to end the remand of all people under 17 years of age to Prison Department establishments as soon as is practicable. Obviously there are economic restraints, but I can assure him that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and my right hon. Friend from the Department of Social Services are doing everything possible to hasten this matter.

Mr. Ron Thomas

I have recently visited Holloway Prison with some of my hon. Friends. Could my hon. Friend seriously consider setting up either a Royal Commission or a high-powered inquiry to consider the position of women in prison and the philosophy behind it, and especially women with babies and pregnant women who are in prison?

Dr. Summerskill

My hon. Friend's question relates to adults in prison and there are two further Questions on that subject on the Order Paper. I do not believe that the question of women with babies necessarily constitutes a separate issue. Certainly my right hon. Friend, who has heard the request, will bear it in mind.