HC Deb 12 November 1970 vol 806 c242W
75. Mr. Orbach

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that there is only one probation hostel in the county of Cheshire and there are no vacant places, how he proposes to provide for the rehabilitation of young delinquents who have been convicted of minor offences, who have no homes or employment and for whom probationary provision is necessary.

Mr. Carlisle

Probation hostels are not provided for young offenders from particular areas, but for specific age-groups. Young offenders may be accommodated in any hostel approved for their age-group in any part of the country. There are at present insufficient places for boys and young men, but it is expected that this problem will resolve itself when the provisions of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1969, which will end the committal to probation hostels of young persons aged 15 and 16 years, come into force on 1st January, 1971.