§ Mr. Merlyn Reesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what date he approved the Yorkshire Regional Plan for Community Homes submitted to him on 31st December 1971; when it is due to come into operation; and if he will list those parts of the plan which will increase facilities to deal with juvenile delinquency within the city of Leeds.
§ Sir K. JosephThe plan, as revised in September 1972, was approved on 22nd February last and, in common with44W the regional plans for all other areas, came into operation on 1st April. Among the developments for which the plan provides, and which have a bearing on juvenile delinquency, are the increase of facilities for observation and assessment from 384 to 510 places and of short-stay secure accommodation from 30 to 47 places; also, secure accommodation for long-term treatment—of which there is none in this regional planning area at present—is to be provided in a new unit for 20 boys. Community home facilities of this kind, however, are not exclusive to children and young persons who have been found guilty of an offence, nor to the use of any one local authority.