§ 3.16 p.m.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps can be taken to request British Rail to reverse their decision to refuse to allow an information booth for young homeless people on the concourse at Euston station.
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLMy Lords, the British Railways Board wrote on 20th July—Tuesday of this week—to explain the reasons for their decision. These are being considered urgently by the Home Office in consultation with other interested Departments.
Lord JANNERMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for his reply. Is he aware that one of the lodges at the entrance to the old Euston station is already used as an advisory centre for girls alone in London, and will he press British Rail to make available the other lodge as an information centre for young homeless people? Is my noble friend aware that there is very serious concern about this matter and also at the delay in publishing the interdepartmental report which has been made for some time?
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLMy Lords, we are aware that there are two lodges at Euston Station and that one of them is 948 being used by the organisation to which my noble friend refers. We have discussed this matter with British Rail. We did so some time ago, and the suggestion was considered very early in the discussions. It was rejected by the Home Office because it was felt that the building was too far from the station concourse and too difficult to locate for people unfamiliar with the Euston area. In support of that, the experience of the organisation GALS has been that many of the girls referred to it fail to find the bureau, even when they have been given directions, and so have to be referred back to GALS from the West End. In the circumstances, we feel that this particular lodge is not satisfactory.
§ Lord HAILSHAM of SAINT MARYLEBONEMy Lords, the noble Lord will be aware of the great concern felt in all quarters of the House about this matter. As we are likely to be going on holiday (we hope) fairly soon, will he in the first place make sure that we are kept informed of the results of what is going on with British Rail? Will he again bring to the attention of British Rail the appalling things which are going on at Euston Station concourse? Will he bring to the attention of British Rail how these young people are drifting from Glasgow and the North, being made the victims of predators of all kinds, and brought into the most appalling situations, one of which at any rate resulted in a cruel murder?
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLMy Lords, I will give an undertaking that I shall see that what the noble and learned Lord has said is conveyed to my right honourable friend. I did so on the previous occasion when he raised this matter because it is one which not only he and the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of London feel very strongly about, but, I am sure, the whole House, too.
Lord JANNERMy Lords, with regard to the reply that my noble friend gave in respect of the lodges, would it not be important, for the time being, for this lodge to be used temporarily until some better accommodation is found? As the noble and learned Lord has said, people regard this as an extremely serious matter and they are very disturbed about the report not being published so that it may be considered.
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLMy Lords, we are aware of the urgency of it, but if we are going to establish some kind of bureau where advice and help can be given I think we must see that it is located in a place which can be easily found and, therefore, adequately used.