HC Deb 19 November 1959 vol 613 cc152-3W
70. Mr. Slater

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the rate of discharge, in each particular age group, from approved schools; and how such rate of discharge compares with the rate of admission over the last two years.

Mr. R. A. Butler

The following is the answer:

APPROVED SCHOOLS IN ENGLAND AND WALES
Numbers of boys and girls who left training schools 1st July, 1957 to 30th June, 1959
Boys Girls
Senior 3,120 1,341
Intermediate 2,554 374
Junior (Secondary) 1,536 301
Junior (Primary) 172
Totals 7,382 2,016

Numbers of boys and girls admitted to training schools 1st July, 1957 to 30th June, 1959
Boys Girls
Senior 3,398 1,384
Intermediate 2,952 378
Junior (Secondary) 1,671 373
Junior (Primary) 159
Totals 8,180 2,135

71. Mr. Slater

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a table showing how many children there are at present in approved schools, classified according to the ages at which they were sentenced; and if he will state the maximum and minimum sentences being served.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the number of boys and girls at present in approved schools, classified according to age on admission. The period of detention in an approved school is laid down in Section 71 of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, and is not subject to the discretion of the court. The standard period is three years but there are variations according to age at the time of committal. A boy or girl may be released on licence before the expiry of the period.