§ Baroness Faithfullasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the provisions for demonopolisation of local authority secure units contained in the Criminal Justice and Public Order Bill enable existing secure units, as well as new secure units, to be provided or managed by the private sector.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege)The Government's policy of demonopolisation would enable both voluntary organisations and the private sector, with the agreement of local authorities, to buy, lease or manage existing secure units, as well as to provide new secure accommodation. As my noble Friend will be aware, there is a further provision in the Bill which would enable local authorities, if they so wish, to contract out the management of secure accommodation in community homes and, with the consent of the boards of managers, in controlled community homes.