HC Deb 14 May 1998 vol 312 c180W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in what circumstances her Department may place a child in a training school other than the one recommended by the court; in how many cases this power has been used in the past five years; and for what reason. [41075]

Mr. Ingram

The courts do not recommend the Training School in which a child is to be placed.

When a Training School Order is made under section 74 of the Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968, the School in which he is to be detained is determined by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the 1973 classification for the reception of non-Roman Catholic boys changed; and for what reason. [41076]

Mr. Ingram

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 27 February 1998,Official Report, column 414.

However, I would add that Lisnevin was "approved" as a non-denominational training school on 24 September 1973 and there has been no change to its status since then.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the statutory basis for the secure custody provisions in Lisnevin, and what criteria her Department uses in directing the courts to(a) use Lisnevin for placement and (b) use the other training schools when transferring from Lisnevin. [41077]

Mr. Ingram

A Training School Order (made under section 74 et seq of the Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968 and defined by Article 2 of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) (Order 1996) provides authority for the detention in custody in secure accommodation of a child who has been found guilty of serious or persistent offending and can be made only by a court. Nevertheless, it is policy to use 'open' accommodation if practicable. However, a child will be placed in, or returned to, secure accommodation if the seriousness or nature of his offending, or absconding or other behaviour while in 'open' accommodation, indicates that he may present a risk to himself or others.

My Department does not direct the courts to use a particular Training School for the placement or transfer of any child within the Training School system.