6. Mr. H. Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations have been made to him about the lack of accommodation in remand homes, detention centres and approved schools in Lancashire and surrounding areas; and what steps he is taking in the matter with a view to averting a total breakdown in the administration of justice in the areas in question.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI have received representations from a number of142W sources, including the Liverpool justices. While I do not accept that there is a possibility of a total breakdown in the administration of justice in this area, I appreciate the difficulties caused by shortage of accommodation; and the following are details of the vigorous action which is being taken to meet these difficulties:
A senior detention centre for 100 boys at Buckley Hall was made available to courts in the area in October last, and a junior centre for 75 boys is being built. In the North West local authorities with whom I have been in close consultation, have provided in the last ten months 43 additional remand home places for boys, an increase of nearly 30 per cent. A further 15 places will be provided shortly at the Liverpool boys' remand home and the Cheshire County Council are seeking suitable premises for a new boys' remand home. Means of increasing places for girls are under consideration. Thirty-nine additional places in boys' approved schools became available in the North West last year, 11 have become available so far this year, and I hope that another 70 will become available before the end of the year. 40 of them in a new school which will double its capacity as soon as new buildings can be provided. Negotiations are proceeding for 3 further boys' schools in the area.