§ Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the difficulties confronting magistrates who are desirous of sending a person to a remand home but find that there is no vacancy available; what is the number of remand homes for both boys and girls; and how many vacancies are available at present.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI am aware of these difficulties and I am in consultation with local authorities about the provision of extra accommodation. The number of vacancies varies widely from day to day and it is not possible without special inquiry to give the number on any particular day. During the six months January-June, 1961, the last period for which figures are available, the average number of vacancies was 64 for each sex. Since then two additional remand homes have been brought into use. The number of remand homes on 31st January, 1962, was 31 for boys, 19 for girls, and 3 for both boys and girls.