§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has had from the area criminal justice liaison committee for Mid, South and West Glamorgan, Dyfed and Gwent in relation to secure accommodation for young offenders and remandees.
§ Mr. MacleanNo such representations have been made directly to the Home Office; but on two occasions—at the end of 1992 and in August 1993—concern about the lack of secure accommodation for juveniles was expressed, respectively by the secretary and chairman of the area committee, in letters to the secretariat of the national18W Criminal Justice Consultative Council. These concerns were brought to the attention of Government Departments and replies to these letters were sent respectively from the Home Office and the Welsh Office.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date he issued invitations to tender for the secure training centre or centres in Wales; if he will list the principal elements in the specification; what consultations he has had with regard to the drawing up of these specifications; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanInvitations to tender have not yet been issued in relation to any particular site. The time at which any such invitation can be issued will be dependent upon the progress made by the Bill which will be necessary to implement the Government's proposal to introduce secure training orders. Draft specifications for secure training centres were issued on 30 July to potential providers covering separately design and construction, and regime. These specifications were produced with the intention of indicating the likely requirements and to enable those with expertise or experience in dealing with persistent juvenile offenders to offer informed comments. The specifications were drawn up in close consultation with the Department of Health and social services inspectorate and endorsed by an interdepartmental steering group with representation from the Home Office, Department of Health, social services inspectorate, Department for Education, Lord 19W Chancellor's Department, Treasury and Welsh Office. The content of the specifications was also informed by views submitted as part of an earlier consultation exercise about the scope of the new secure training order.