HC Deb 17 November 1955 vol 546 cc54-5W
71. Mr. H. Hynd

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress is being made with the provision of the attendance centres and detention centres that were authorised by the Criminal Justice Act of 1948.

Major Lloyd-George

The provision of attendance centres for boys aged 12 but under 17 is proceeding wherever there appears likely to be a sufficient concentration of cases to enable a centre to operate. Forty centres are at present authorised, of which 32 are already in operation.

As regards detention centres, a junior centre for boys not less than 14 and under 17 years of age was opened at Campsfield House, Kidlington, Oxfordshire, in July, 1952. A senior detention centre for boys not less than 17 and under 21 years of age was opened at Blantyre House, Goudhurst, Kent, in April, 1954. A second junior centre at Foston Hall, Derbyshire, is nearly ready for occupation and is expected to be open at the latest early in the New Year. Buildings for a second senior centre are in course of adaptation as Werrington, Staffordshire, and I hope it will be open towards the end of next year.