HL Deb 18 December 1967 vol 287 cc1266-7

2.47 p.m.

LORD WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many attendance centres for offenders there are in England and Wales; and how many of the centres are for the 17 to 20 year old age group.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD STONHAM)

My Lords, the number of attendance centres in England and Wales is 63, of which two are for the 17 to 20 year old age group.

LORD WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend the Minister for his reply, may I ask him whether it is envisaged having more centres for the 17 to 20 year old age group, bearing in mind that the present two in London and Manchester are adequate for those two areas? May I also remind him that many courts find it difficult to deal with breaches of probation in the age group 17 to 20 because there are not attendance centres to which those concerned can be sent? May I ask him whether he envisages an increase in the number of attendance centres for that age group?

LORD STONHAM

My Lords, like my noble friend I am in favour of the idea of attendance centres or, indeed, of other forms of non-custodial treatment for young offenders; but in regard to the two centres which we have opened at Greenwich and Manchester the trouble is not staff but lack of clients. So far as the provision of more centres is concerned, this must await the views of the sub-committee of the Advisory Council on the Penal System, over which my noble friend Lady Wootton of Abinger presides, which is considering non-custodial treatment.

With regard to junior centres, it is difficult to see whether there is any more scope for further centres because, as my noble friend knows, these centres involve group activities and there would not be enough attenders living within reasonable travelling distance to support centres in less populous areas.

LORD WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, in the event of this matter being considered afresh, could it be borne in mind that it might perhaps be useful if the work at the attendance centres could be extended over the weekend and directed to some activity which would be in the community's interest?

LORD STONHAM

My Lords, I express my regrets to my noble friend if I did not make myself quite clear. It is not a question of considering this matter afresh. This matter, among others, is being actively considered by my noble friend Lady Wootton of Abinger. We await with considerable interest any suggestions or proposals which are made by that sub-committee and no doubt shall act upon them. With regard to the particular point about weekend attendance centres, my noble friend will be aware that in many cases the attendance is on Saturday, but I am sure that the point he has proposed will be considered by the sub-committee and we shall be very interested to learn their views.