Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the amount which will be made available to Glasgow by way of rate support grant in the current year; and what was the total amount distributed to Glasgow in each of the three previous years.
§ Mr. RossThe information is as follows:
homes in Scotland on the latest date for which figures are available;
(2) what plans he has for building more remand homes in Scotland, or for otherwise alleviating the pressure on such homes;
(3) how many young persons committed to remand homes in 1967 were found accommodation in remand homes outwith Scotland; what were the comparable figures for 1966 and 1965, respectively; and what was the cost to public funds in each of these years.
§ Mr. RossLocal authorities have remand home accommodation for 214 boys and 33 girls, but more may be taken in exceptional circumstances. On 17th June, 1968, 173 boys and 21 girls were in residence. New building under construction or planned in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Lanarkshire will provide about 60 additional places and further building is being considered by Ayrshire.
The approved school building programme will also help by reducing the period in remand homes for children awaiting vacancies in such schools. I have no knowledge of children or young persons from Scottish courts being accommodated in remand homes outwith Scotland in recent years.