HC Deb 22 December 1965 vol 722 cc466-7W
Mr. William Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many youths are now in Winson Green Prison, Birmingham, awaiting transmission to the Borstal allocation centre; what is the longest period any such youth has been so waiting transmission; and what training is given to such youths whilst so awaiting transmission to the Borstal allocation centre.

Miss Bacon

Due to extremely heavy pressure on accommodation at the borstal allocation centre there were on 14th December 42 boys in Birmingham Prison awaiting removal to the borstal allocation centre; one of these had been waiting for 11 weeks. Every effort is made to keep such boys constructively occupied but full training is not practicable.

Mr. William Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many youths are detained in Her Majesty's Prisons, other than Winson Green Prison, Birmingham, awaiting transmission to a Borstal allocation centre; and what is the longest period any such youth has been so detained.

Miss Bacon

On 14th December 182 boys were in the special centre for boys at Manchester prison; 160 boys were in local prisons other than Birmingham. I will send by hon. Friend, as soon as possible, information about the periods for which they had been awaiting removal.