§ Sir R. Glynasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average length of time for which male delinquents under 17 years of age remained in detention centres as a result of sentences imposed in the 12 months to 1st January, 1960.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerEleven weeks.
§ Sir R. Glynasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many male delinquents under 17 years of age can be accommodated at one time in the existing available detention centres; and how many will be able to be accommodated at one time at the conclusion of next year's expansion programme.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerThere are at present two junior centres with accommodation for 150 boys between 14 and 17; and it is hoped to provide two more with similar accommodation by the middle of 1962. The centres expected to be ready in 1961 are for young offenders over 17.
§ Mr. Boydenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the increasing use of detention centres, he will circularise all magistrates' courts with a memorandum of advice on the programme in these centres and their usefulness in training young offenders.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerIt is my practice, when notifying a magistrates' court that a detention centre is available to it, to send the clerk a note about the purpose of detention centres and the régime at the centre in question. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of one of these notes.