§ Lord Donaldson of Kingsbridgeasked Her Majesty's Government:
- (i) on how many occasions during the last two years the Secretary of State has consented to applications being made by local authorities to the juvenile court under Section 31 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969 for 15 and 16 year-olds in their care in community homes to be accommodated in borstal institutions;
- (ii) how many 15 and 16 year-olds who are at present in borstals have not been found guilty of an offence.
§ Lord BelsteadMy right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Social Services informs me that since the beginning of 1980 he has not consented to any applications made under Section 31 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1969. My records for 31st October 1981 do not show any 15 or 16 year-olds in borstals who had not been found guilty of an offence.