§ Mr. Oakesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the provision of remand homes for boys and for girls to serve the needs of Bolton and South-East Lancashire.
§ Mr. Elystan MorganResponsibility for providing remand homes rests with local authorities. My right hon. Friend is at present considering a proposal by the Lancashire County Council to use certain premises near Manchester as a remand home for girls until such time as new premises are provided in Lancaster.
§ Mr. Oakesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of places in remand homes in England and Wales for boys and for girls, respectively.
§ Mr. Elystan Morgan1,168 and 442, at 31st March, 1969.
§ Mr. Oakesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on the shortage of places in suitable remand homes for boys and for girls.
§ Mr. Elystan MorganI have no evidence of any general shortage of places in remand homes, although demand fluctuates and I am aware that there are temporary difficulties, especially in respect of girls. My right hon. Friend is always ready to consider proposals from local authorities for the improvement of their remand home facilities. Since the end of 1967, 45 more places for boys and 21 for girls have become available.
§ Mr. Oakesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for places in remand homes made by magistrates' courts were rejected because no place was available in each of the last three years.
§ Mr. Elystan MorganI regret that this information is not readily available.
§ Mr. Oakesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he 291W will take steps to set up a central clearing house equipped with a computer to assist courts to find out more speedily when and where places in remand homes are available.
§ Mr. Elystan MorganNo. I am not persuaded that there is a need for arrangements of this kind.