HC Deb 09 March 1931 vol 249 c819W
Dr. PETERS

asked the Home Secretary how many persons are at present undergoing detention in Borstal institutions and in reformatories or industrial schools, respectively?

Mr. CLYNES

On 3rd March, 1,481 persons were undergoing detention in Borstal institutions. On 28th February, there were 2,103 boys and girls in reformatory schools and 3,889 boys and girls in industrial schools who were sent to these schools by order of Court.

Dr. PETERS

asked the Home Secretary the number of persons sentenced to detention in Borstal institutions for whom there is no room in such institutions and who are now located in His Majesty's prisons?

Mr. CLYNES

Youths sentenced to Bostal detention are in the first instance brought to the collecting centre at Wormwood Scrubs for the purpose of examination and investigation before it is decided to which of the Borstal institutions each youth shall be allocated. As explained in the answer I gave on the 12th ultimo to a question put by the hon. Member for Sutton (Viscountess Astor), the effect of the pressure on the accommodation at these institutions is that the time spent at Wormwood Scrubs is in many cases longer than would normally be necessary for investigation purposes.

Captain CAZALET

asked the Home Secretary what is the official cost per head to the State of the boys in the Borstal institute?

Mr. CLYNES

The net cost to the Prison Vote of a boy in a Borstal institution was, in respect of the year ended 31st March, 1930, £58 18s. 6d.