§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to lay an order preventing boys aged 14 years being remanded to prison service establishments; and if he will out line his policy on the matter.
§ Mr. JohnThe Government's policy is to phase out the remand of all juveniles to prison department establishments under certificates of unruliness. Progress depends on the provision of the necessary alternative resources within the local authority system. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Social Services and for Wales plan to discuss the next step in phasing out these remands with the local authority associations later in the year, in the light of the resources available and of experience in absorbing all 14-year-old girls on remand in the child care system.