HC Deb 19 December 1991 vol 201 c256W
Mr. Maclennan

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what proposals he has to change the security status of the St. Charles youth treatment centre, Brentwood;

(2) what is the purpose of his proposal to erect a 17 ft wire fence outside the 40 ft perimeter wall of St. Charles youth treatment centre; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Local management is considering the need for an open facility to support secure units on the Brentwood site, but the Department has yet to receive recommendations. We are having exploratory discussions with local managers about whether or not to build a fence and if so how extensive that should be. The local planning authority has been approached about an option to enclose the site entirely. Its views are awaited.